Passover Greetings

Passover begins Saturday night. Reform Jews and Jews in Israel celebrate for seven days with the first and last days as holy days. The days in the middle are referred to as Chol HaMoed or the weekdays of the festival. Conservative and Orthodox Jews outside of Israel celebrate eight days with the first two and the last two days as the holy days.

Appropriate Passover greetings include:

  • "Chag Sameach!" (חַג שָׂמֵחַ): "Happy Holiday!" A general greeting for Jewish holidays, including Passover.
  • "Gut Yontif!" (גוט יום טוב): "Good Holiday!" A Yiddish greeting for any Jewish festival.
  • "Pesach Sameach!" (פֶּסַח שָׂמֵחַ): "Happy Passover!" A specific greeting for Passover.
  • "Chag Kasher V'Sameach!" (חַג כָּשֵׁר וְשָׂמֵחַ): "Have a kosher and happy holiday!"
  • "Zissen Pesach!" (זִיסֶן פֶּסַח): "Sweet Passover!" A Yiddish greeting.

Appropriate Chol HaMoed greetings include:

  • "Moadim L'Simcha!" (מוֹעֲדִים לִשִׂמְחָה): "Wishing you a joyous festival."
  • "Chagim U'Zmanim L'Sasson!" (חַגִּים וּזְמַנִּים לִשָּׂשׂוֹן): "May the holidays and times be for rejoicing!" A response to "Moadim L'Simcha!"
  • "Gut Moed!" (גוט מועד): "Good Festival!" A Yiddish greeting.

May this Passover bring us peace, joy, and hope as we celebrate our own freedom and pray for the liberation of those not yet free.