To someone celebrating Rosh Hashanah, common and traditional greetings include:
- "Shana Tova" (שנה טובה) which means "Have a good year."
- "L’shana Tova" meaning "For a good year."
- "Shana Tovah U’Metukah" meaning "Have a good and sweet year," reflecting the hope for a sweet new year symbolized by the tradition of eating apples dipped in honey.
- "Chag Sameach," a general Hebrew phrase meaning "Happy holiday."
- More formal greetings include "Leshana Tovah Tikatev V'tichatem," wishing that one may be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life for a good year.
In English, simply saying "Happy New Year" or "Happy Rosh Hashanah" is also appreciated and appropriate. Expressing wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year is common and well-received. Thus, you can say any of these depending on your comfort with Hebrew or formality:
- "Shana Tova!"
- "Shana Tovah U’Metukah!"
- "Happy Rosh Hashanah!"
- "Wishing you a sweet and good new year."
These greetings reflect the spirit of renewal and blessing for the new year in the Jewish tradition.
