To greet someone for Rosh Hashanah, the most common and traditional greeting is "Shana Tovah" (שנה טובה), which means "Good year." A longer version is "L'shana tovah u'metukah" (לשנה טובה ומתוקה), meaning "For a good and sweet year." These greetings express wishes for a good and sweet new year and are often used on and around the holiday. Other variations include:
- "Ketivah v’chatima tovah" meaning "A good inscription and sealing [in the Book of Life]" used before the holiday.
- "Gemar chatimah tovah," meaning "A good final sealing," used between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
- Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews might say "Tizku leshanim rabot," meaning "May you merit many years."
In English, it's also appropriate to say "Happy Rosh Hashanah" or "Happy New Year" as greetings. These greetings convey wishes for health, sweetness, blessings, and a good year ahead.
