You’re at a Rosh Hashanah dinner and you want to wish all your friends and family a happy new year in proper Hebrew. But do you say “Shana Tova” or “L’Shana Tova”? You’ve probably heard both greetings used during the High Holidays. The truth is, one is grammatically correct while the other has become colloquially accepted. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between “Shana Tova” and “L’Shana Tova” and why many Jews say the technically incorrect phrase. We’ll also share some background on the origins and meanings behind this popular Rosh Hashanah greeting. So keep reading to learn which expression to use at your next holiday dinner!
The Origins and Meaning of “Shana Tova”
“Shana Tova” literally means “good year” in Hebrew. Its origins trace back to the Babylonian exile when Jews adopted the Babylonian New Year festival. The greeting spread through the Jewish diaspora, becoming the customary way to wish someone a sweet new year.
A Sweet Greeting
The honey-themed greeting reflects the hope for a sweet year ahead. You’ll often see “Shana Tova u’metuka” – meaning “a good and sweet year.” Foods like challah bread, apples, and honey are eaten at Rosh Hashanah meals to represent the sweetness of the new year.
The Correct Phrase
While “Shana Tova” is perfectly acceptable, the grammatically correct phrase is “L’shana Tova.” The “l” prefix means “to” or “for” in Hebrew, so “L’shana Tova” literally means “for a good year.” Many Jews do use “Shana Tova” in casual speech and writing, but if you want to be technically correct, “L’shana Tova” is the proper way to convey your good wishes for the Jewish New Year.
Spreading Good Cheer
However you say it, wishing someone a “Shana Tova” or “L’shana Tova” is a warm way to spread good cheer for the holiday. Rosh Hashanah marks the start of the High Holy Days leading up to Yom Kippur, so this greeting helps kick off this period of reflection and renewal in the Jewish faith.
Whether you celebrate Rosh Hashanah or not, wishing someone a sweet new year in Hebrew is a thoughtful way to convey your hopes for their health, happiness, and prosperity in the year to come. So this Rosh Hashanah, spread the joy and goodwill – Shana Tova! Or L’shana Tova!
Is It “Shana Tova” or “L’Shana Tova”?
The most common greeting for the Jewish New Year is “Shana Tova,” which means “good year” in Hebrew. Some Jews, however, prefer the slightly fancier “L’Shana Tova,” which means “for a good year.” So which greeting is correct?
“Shana Tova” is grammatically correct
Technically, “Shana Tova” is the proper way to convey the greeting. In Hebrew, “L'” means “for” or “to,” so “L’Shana Tova” translates literally to “for a good year.” Using “L'” is unnecessary in this case, so “Shana Tova” alone is grammatically correct.
“L’Shana Tova” is used for emphasis
That said, some people prefer “L’Shana Tova” simply because it sounds a bit more formal or emphatic. Adding “L'” puts extra stress on the wish for a good new year. So while “Shana Tova” is technically right, “L’Shana Tova” can be used to convey extra enthusiasm or as a fancier variant.
Either greeting is perfect!
At the end of the day, both “Shana Tova” and “L’Shana Tova” express the same warm wish for a sweet new year. So whether you go with the technically correct “Shana Tova” or the emphatic “L’Shana Tova,” your greeting will be greatly appreciated. The most important thing is simply to extend your good wishes to friends and loved ones.
So this Rosh Hashanah, don’t get too caught up on grammatical technicalities. Just open your heart, spread the warmth, and say “Shana Tova” – or “L’Shana Tova!” A happy and healthy new year to all!
Why the Prefix “L'” Matters in Hebrew
When wishing someone a happy new year in Hebrew, many people mistakenly say “Shana Tova.” But in proper Hebrew grammar, you should actually say “L’shana Tova.” The prefix “L’” means “to” or “for” in Hebrew, so by adding it, you are literally saying “To a good year” or “For a good year.”
It’s All About Grammar
Hebrew grammar rules state that when referring to a direct object, like “year” (shana), you need to add the prefix “L’” which means “to” or “for.” So while “Shana Tova” may sound right to English speakers, it is grammatically incorrect in Hebrew. Saying “L’shana Tova” shows you understand proper Hebrew grammar and pronunciation.
A Long-Standing Tradition
Wishing someone “L’shana Tova” for Rosh Hashanah is a long-standing Jewish tradition. Rosh Hashanah marks the start of the Jewish New Year, so greeting friends, family and community members with “L’shana Tova” is a way to wish them a sweet new year filled with blessing and prosperity. By using the correct Hebrew grammar, you are honoring this important cultural tradition.
A Simple Fix
For many, adding that one small prefix “L’” to the familiar Rosh Hashanah greeting may feel strange at first. But with practice, “L’shana Tova” can easily roll off the tongue. This Rosh Hashanah, challenge yourself to spread extra sweetness by greeting others with the proper “L’shana Tova.” Your friends and family will surely appreciate your thoughtfulness in honoring Hebrew grammar and cultural traditions. And who knows, you may even start a trend!
Whether you say “Shana Tova” or “L’shana Tova,” the most important part is wishing friends and loved ones a happy, healthy and sweet new year. But for those who want to get it just right, remember: in Hebrew, the prefix “L’” means everything.
How to Wish Someone “Shana Tova”
So you want to wish your Jewish friends and family a happy Rosh Hashanah, but are unsure of the correct greeting. Should you say “Shana Tova” or “L’shana Tova”? The good news is either one is fine, but “Shana Tova” is a bit more common and casual.
Pronunciation
“Shana Tova” literally means “good year” in Hebrew. Pronounce it “shah-nah toe-VAH.” For “L’shana Tova,” pronounce it “luh-shah-nah toe-VAH.” The “L” at the beginning means “to” or “for” in Hebrew, so “L’shana Tova” translates to “for a good year.” Both are well wishes for a sweet new year.
When to Use
The Rosh Hashanah greeting is customary when meeting or speaking with someone around the Jewish New Year. Wish friends and family “Shana Tova!” in person, over the phone, in a card or email. For more formal situations like work colleagues or acquaintances, either “Shana Tova” or “L’shana Tova” is appropriate.
Response
The typical response to either greeting is “Shana Tova!” or “L’shana Tova umetuka!” which means “And a sweet new year to you!” You can also simply say “Thank you, same to you!” It is customary to greet with multiple blessings and good wishes during this time, so don’t hesitate to wish someone an easy fast, meaningful reflection, and hopes for a year of health, joy and prosperity.
Extending the Greeting
To convey an even warmer wish, you can extend the greeting to “Shana Tova umetuka!” meaning “A good and sweet year!” or “Shana Tova umetuka ve-chatima tova” meaning “A good, sweet and sealed (in the book of life) year!” However, for most casual encounters, a simple “Shana Tova!” will do to wish someone a happy Rosh Hashanah.
Shana Tova vs Shana Tovah – What’s the Difference?
Pronunciation
You may have noticed that some people say “Shana Tova” while others prefer “Shana Tovah” when wishing friends and family a happy new year. Either greeting is correct and conveys the same meaning, so you can use whichever version you prefer. The difference comes down to pronunciation and transliteration from Hebrew.
Transliteration
“Shana Tova” is a more direct transliteration of the Hebrew phrase “shanah tovah” (שנה טובה), simply meaning “good year.” However, when Hebrew words are transliterated into English, the letters Bet “ב” and Vet “ו” are both often written as “v.” So, some may spell the greeting as “Shana Tovah” to indicate the “v” sound. Again, both are correct – it comes down to personal preference.
Wishing Good Fortune
The meaning and intention behind both versions are the same – to wish the recipient a happy, healthy, prosperous and sweet new year. So whether you say “Shana Tova” or “Shana Tovah,” you are conveying your hopes for good fortune, joy and blessing in the year to come.
Other Greetings
A few other common Rosh Hashanah greetings you may hear are:
- Chag Sameach – “Happy Holiday”
- Ketivah v’chatimah tovah – “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year”
- Tizku l’shanim rabot – “May you merit many years”
In the end, the greeting you choose is not as important as the sentiment behind it. Wishing friends and loved ones a happy new year, filled with sweetness, health, prosperity and peace, is the perfect way to start 5782. Shana Tova!
Conclusion
So there you have it. While both “Shana Tova” and “L’Shana Tova” are common Rosh Hashanah greetings, “Shana Tova” is the more traditional and accurate phrase. The added “L'” in “L’Shana Tova” is unnecessary. This Rosh Hashanah, feel free to wish your fellow Jews a heartfelt “Shana Tova” as you reflect on the past year and look forward to the sweetness of the new one ahead. Though the greeting is small, its meaning is mighty. Have a happy and healthy new year!