To say "Happy Yom Kippur" is generally not customary because Yom Kippur is a solemn day of atonement and fasting, and not a celebratory holiday. Instead, traditional greetings focus on wishing someone an easy fast or a good final sealing in the Book of Life. Common Hebrew greetings for Yom Kippur include:
- "G’mar chatima tovah" (גְּמַר חֲתִימָה טוֹבָה), meaning "A good final sealing," referring to the hope that a person's fate for the upcoming year will be sealed positively. This is the most traditional and appropriate Yom Kippur greeting.
- "Tzom kal" (צוֹם קַל), meaning "an easy fast," is wished to those who observe the fast.
Other related greetings used around this time are "Shana Tova" (שָׁנָה טוֹבָה), meaning "Good year," which is more common for Rosh Hashanah but can also be said in the season. In summary, instead of saying "Happy Yom Kippur," it is best to say "G’mar chatima tovah" or wish someone an "easy fast" with "Tzom kal".
