Question about greeting during Yom Kippur (Christians, religious, food)

[fearthegoat]

I hope someone will help me. I am a Christian learning about Judaism. I live in a predominately Jewish community and am new here. I like my neighbors and would like to connect with them in a more personable way. Since Yom Kippur starts Friday and ends Saturday (from sunset to sunset, is that right?) when I see them I'd like to give them a greeting that is appropriate for this particular religious holiday. I do know that Yom Kippur is about atonement so I feel weird saying "Happy Yom Kippur".
Hoping the CD community will help me out, thanks!

[Pruzhany]

Do not say: "Happy Yom Kippur".

Individuals will also wish each other to have an “easy fast,” although an increasingly common greeting is to have a “meaningful fast.”

http://skokie.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/5-things-you-should-know-about-yom-kippur_2172e647

[hiker45]

Originally Posted by fearthegoat

when I see them I'd like to give them a greeting that is appropriate for this particular religious holiday.

I suggest you pay attention to what they say to you during Christmas, and say something similar.

[Pruzhany]

Originally Posted by hiker45

I suggest you pay attention to what they say to you during Christmas, and say something similar.

ummm....No. There is nothing Happy or Merry related to Yom Kippur.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur

[fearthegoat]

Thanks Pruzhany. I did not think it was Merry.

[theflipflop]

Although the phrase "Happy Yom Kippur" would sound quite out of place, it is perhaps the most accurate description of the day. Yom Kippur is the happiest day of the year for us Jews. It is actually forbidden to feel sad on Yom Kippur, accept during one specific prayer repeated a few times during the day (viduey). Otherwise, we Jews are basking in the closeness we have to Hashem on such an auspicious day. Hashem is practically reaching down from his thrown of glory on YK and is stretching his arms out towards us - literally pleading for us to turn towards Him. What could make a Jew happier, than the absolute knowledge that Hashem loves us and wants our tefillos.

May all my fellow Jews have an easy fast and be sealed in the book of life...

[iwishiwerethin]

Have a happy new year and an easy (and productive) fast. That just about sums it up.

Gmar Chasima Tova to all.

[Chava61]

Originally Posted by iwishiwerethin

Have a happy new year and an easy (and productive) fast. That just about sums it up.

Gmar Chasima Tova to all.

The best greeting as said above is to wish one's Jewish neighbors a Happy New Year and an Easy Fast for Yom Kipper.

[hiker45]

Originally Posted by Chava61

The best greeting as said above is to wish one's Jewish neighbors a Happy New Year

That could be a problem for Christians because they don't think of Yom Kippur as a New Year any more than Jews think of December 25 as Christmas.

How about "Happy Holidays", which is what many Jews say to Christians around December 25?

[charolastra00]

My go-to is "Have a meaningful fast." As others have noted, many will also say "Have an easy fast." My coworkers are all wishing each other a good break-fast (and a lot of food discussions abound this morning).