Yom Kippur is a solemn and reflective day, so it is not customary to greet those observing with "Happy Yom Kippur". Instead, appropriate Jewish greetings on Yom Kippur are more about meaningfulness and reflection. Here are some traditional greetings for Yom Kippur:
- "Gmar hatimah tovah" or "Gmar tov" which roughly translates to "a good seal". This greeting references the traditional belief that a persons fate for the coming year is written on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on Yom Kippur.
- "Tzom kal" which means "easy fast". This greeting is often used in the days preceding the fast or just as its beginning.
- "Good Yuntif" or "Yom Tov" which are Yiddish and Hebrew, respectively, for "Have a good holy day".
- "Have an easy fast".
- "Chag sameach" which literally means "happy holiday".
It is also appropriate to wish someone a meaningful Yom Kippur.
