“Pinḥas, son of Elazar, son of Aaron the priest, has caused My wrath to be withdrawn from the children of Israel, in that he was zealous on My behalf among them, and I did not destroy the children of Israel in My zealotry” (Numbers 25:11). “Pinḥas, son of Elazar, son of Aaron the priest” – the Holy One blessed be He said: By right, he should receive his reward: “Therefore, say: Behold, I am giving him My covenant of peace” (Numbers 25:12) – great is peace, which He gave to Pinḥas, as the world is conducted only through peace, and the Torah in its entirety is peace, as it is stated: “Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its pathways are peace [shalom]” (Proverbs 3:17).
If a person comes from the road, one greets him with peace [shalom]. Likewise in the morning, one greets him with peace. And at night, likewise, one greets with peace. Shema Yisrael concludes with the blessing: Who spreads a canopy of peace over His people. 1This refers to the final blessing after the recitation of Shema in the evening service.
Today we use this conclusion to the blessing on Shabbat and Festivals. One concludes the Amida with peace. One concludes the Priestly Benediction with peace. Rabbi Shimon be Ḥalafta said: The only vessel that holds blessing is peace, as it is stated: “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. (Psalms 29:11).