Easy Fast

To everyone observing Yom Kippur, I wish you an Easy Fast and May You Be Sealed in the Book of Life.

In case you need a reminder as I often do, Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement and is considered the holiest and most solemn day on the Jewish calendar.

Because Yom Kippur is a fast day, it is appropriate to wish your Jewish friends an “Easy Fast” on Yom Kippur, or in Hebrew “Tzom Kal.” The traditional Yom Kippur greeting is “G’mar Hatimah Tovah” or “May You Be Sealed for a Good Year (in the Book of Life).” This reflects the Jewish view of Yom Kippur as the day when God seals our fates (determined by our actions) for the upcoming year in the Books of Life or Death.
The entire ten Days of Awe from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur are viewed as the beginning of the New Year, so you may also still wish your Jewish friends a “Happy New Year” or “L’Shana Tovah” on Yom Kippur.
For any Jewish holiday the standby greeting of “Happy Holiday” is usually also appropriate, as are the Hebrew equivalent “Chag Samayach” or the Yiddish equivalent “Gut Yuntiff.”

Now you know, here we go!

Alya