lulav, etrog, Hallah, freshly harvested vegetables, Ecclesiastes
It is still perfectly appropriate to wish each other a Happy New Year (or Shana Tovah in Hebrew), just as people continue saying Happy (Gregorian) New Year for many weeks into January and beyond.
But maybe you’re looking for a Jewish holiday greeting more specific to the actual current Jewish holiday and wondering, What is the proper Hebrew greeting during these intermediary days of Sukkot? (September 26-29 this year) and what is the proper response?
Answer: Both come from the Festival Kiddush, as follows:
Person who initiates the greeting says: Mo’adim l’simhah!
Person who replies: Hagim u’z’manim l’sasson!
Hint about pronunciation: Each of the Hebrew words above puts the emphasis/stress on the last syllable.
Try it!
Hebrew Vocabulary:
Mo’adim = moments, “festivals,” “appointed times”
(singular: mo’eid)
l’ = for/to
simhah = joy, gladness, happy occasion
Hagim = holidays, celebrations
(singular: hag)
u’ = and
z’manim = seasons, times
(singular: z’man)
sasson = joy, happiness
Learn Hebrew with Natasha Shabat 