Introduction
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is also called "Yom HaDin", the Day of Judgment. Traditionally, this is the day that God decides who should be written into the Book of Life. Therefore, it is customary to greet each other saying, "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year".
Shana Tova Greeting in Jewish Texts
The following text is from the Kitzur Shulhan Arukh. Composed in Uzhgorod (c.1844 - c.1864 CE) by Shlomo Ganzfried, the Kitzur Shulhan Arukh is a summary of the Shulhan Arukh of Joseph Karo.The Kitzur states what is permitted and what is forbidden without ambiguity emphasizing the customs of the Jews of Hungary at that time.
Read the text below and answer the questions that follow.
לאחר גמר תפלת מעריב בליל ראשון נוהגין לומר כל אחד לחברו לשנה טובה תכתב ותחתם. ולנקבה אומרים, תכתבי ותחתמי, אבל ביום אין אומרים. לפי שכבר נגמרה הכתיבה קודם חצות היום...
After the Maariv service on the first night of Rosh Hashanah, it is customary for people to wish each other Leshanah tovah tikaseiv veseichaseim [May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year], and to a woman [you use the feminine form] tikaseivi veseichaseimi. But you do not extend these wishes in the daytime, because the writing has been finished before midday...
- Why is the greeting said during the day?
- How do you think people expressed their good wishes to people who were not living in their community and who they did not meet face-to-face?
Shana Tova Greetings in Primary Sources
Below are examples of Shana Tova cards from the collection of the National Library of Israel.
- Examine the pictures.
- What is the subject of the illustration?
- What do you think is the connection to Rosh Hashanah?
- Do you like the card?
- Would you send the card?
- After examining the cards, sort them into categories. What do they have in common? How many ways can you categorise them?
Soldiers and Theodore Herzl, Israel, 1950, National Library of Israel
Shana Tova, Israel, 1958, National Library of Israel
Shana Tova - Galilee, 1960s, National Library of Israel
Old Year Be Gone, National Library of Israel
Shana Tova Card from the 1970s, National Library of Israel
Immigration to America, Early 1900s, National Library of Israel
Shana Tova Card, Herzl, 1910, National Library of Israel
Wrapping it all up!
- Are Shana Tova cards commonly sent today?
- What other media are used to wish friends and family a shana tova?
- How do you think Rosh Hashanah wishes will be sent in the future?