Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn day of the Jewish year. According to tradition, at the end of Yom Kippur, God “seals” our fates for the coming year and decides whether we will be inscribed in the Book of Life. This year, Yom Kippur begins at sunset on Tuesday, October 4th and ends on the evening of Wednesday, October 5th. Show
There are several ways to greet someone on Yom Kippur and leading up to the day. (Also, be sure to check out our last minute Yom Kippur checklist.) Before we get into the different Yom Kippur greetings, one thing you should avoid saying is “Happy Yom Kippur.” Although there is an argument that Yom Kippur is also a joyful day, as Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik taught: “there is also great joy on the day that our sins are forgiven,” since the general tone of Yom Kippur is very solemn, it’s not fitting to wish someone a “happy day.” Now onto what you should say. You can use any of these options: Gmar chatima tova (A good final sealing)“Gmar chatima tova” means “a good final sealing” in Hebrew. This is said in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and in the early hours of the fast on Yom Kippur. The greeting is based on the belief that our fates are “written” on Rosh Hashanah and “sealed” on Yom Kippur. This expresses the wish that someone will be inscribed in the Book of Life. Gmar tov (A good final sealing — shortened version)“Gmar tov” is a shorter way of saying “Gmar chatima tova.” Same idea. Ketiva v’chatima tova (A good writing and sealing)Similar to the past two, “Ketiva v’chatima tova” means “have a good writing and sealing” in Hebrew. It’s like a fancier version of “Gmar chatima tova.” Tzom kal (Have an easy fast)Since Yom Kippur is a fast day, it’s traditional to wish someone an easy fast. “Tzom kal” is Hebrew for “have an easy fast” but you could, of course, simply say “Have an [easy / meaningful / easy and meaningful] fast” too. Have a meaningful Yom KippurBy now you know that we don’t say “Happy Yom Kippur” but what you can say is simply “have a meaningful Yom Kippur.” It’s short and sweet, especially if the Hebrew greetings will have you stumbling on your words. What do you do when you don’t fit in?  Learn More → Originally Published Sep 29 2022 11:11AM EDT Unpacked Staff , July 26, 2022
Shaked Karabelnicoff , September 8, 2022
Sara Himeles , October 6, 2022 Topics in this article High Holidays Yom Kippur Unpacked StaffPeople are complex and complicated — yet we’re constantly being pushed to oversimplify our world. At Unpacked we know that being complex makes us more interesting. Because of this, we break the world down with nuance and insight to drive your curiosity and challenge your thinking. When it comes to Jewish holidays, Yom Kippur is one of the most significant. Considered a high holy day, Jewish people around the world observe it by fasting, praying, and asking forgiveness for the sins they’ve committed. If it sounds rather intense, it is. It’s not a day of celebration, but rather a solemn, pensive time of reflection and contemplation, which is why phrases like “Merry Yom Kippur!” and “Happy Yom Kippur!” just don’t hit the right notes. First, a bit more about Yom KippurThe day’s name comes from the Hebrew words yōm, which means “day,” and kippūr, which means “atonement.” That’s why Yom Kippur is also referred to as the Day of Atonement. Atonement means “satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends.” It stems from the phrases at one or at oon, which mean “in harmony,” as translated from the Medieval Latin word adūnāmentum. It’s also comparable to the Middle English word onement, which means “unity.” Other words for atone include apologize, appease, correct, and reconcile. Learn more about Yom Kippur and how it is discussed here. Yom Kippur lasts for 25 hours, during which time Jewish people abstain from food and drink and spend most of the time reciting prayers of repentance in their synagogue for all the wrongs they’ve committed. The origins of Yom Kippur trace back to biblical times, when Moses broke the Ten Commandments because he was so angered by people worshipping a golden calf. Because the people atoned for their sin, God gave Moses another set of the commandments, and all was forgiven. Yom Kippur is part of a 10-day period known as the Yamim Nora-im (“Days of Awe” or “High Holidays”), which begins with Rosh Hashanah. Yom Kippur falls on the 10th day of the month of Tishri (the first month of the Jewish calendar) and closes out the holiday. It’s believed that one’s fate is written on the first day of Rosh Hashanah and then sealed on Yom Kippur. We have even more to say about the significance of Rosh Hashanah here. What to say to someone on Yom KippurYom Kippur isn’t necessarily a day of sadness, so your greetings need not be grave or somber. You should, however, keep in mind the contemplative nature of the day and make them warm and sincere. Some suggestions include:
As you can see, there are plenty of options when it comes to Yom Kippur greetings, and those observing will appreciate you acknowledging it, even if your pronunciation of any of these phrases isn’t perfect. As for what not to say, “Want a donut?” would be right up there. Save that for when the Yom Kippur ends, as that’s a time of celebration and breaking the fast. Is it appropriate to say Happy Yom Kippur?Your first inclination might be to wish your Jewish friends “Happy Yom Kippur!” because, after all, “Happy Hanukkah!” works. But heaven forbid, do not do this. Yom Kippur is a solemn day. Much better you say, “Have an easy fast” or “Good yontif,” or “Good holiday” or “Blessed Yom Kippur.”
What do you say for Yom Kippur 2022?What Is The Proper Greeting at Yom Kippur? The greeting for Yom Kippur is G'mar Hatima Tova, or G'mar Tov. (meaning, “May you be sealed in the Book of Life”). It is also customary to say, “have a meaningful fast” before the holiday begins.
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What is proper greeting for yom kippur
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