I was going to ask you this by private, but since it's vaguely word-related:
I'm curious, since Yom Kippur is [in my very limited understanding] the most somber and solemn Jewish celebration, I have two questions:
(1) "Celebration" obviously isn't the right word for it. What is?
(2) How would one typically acknowledge the event with a fellow believer? For example, if you spoke with your mother this morning you most certainly wouldn't wish her a 'Happy Yom Kippur', as in Happy Easter, Merry Christmas, etc., right? Wishing someone a "solemn yom kippur" would seem a bit odd as well, though. Is there a pat expression that's used?
In the Catholic church we avoid such confusion on our most somber day, Good Friday. During the hours that represent Christ's suffering on the cross, we don't speak at all.
and I also was going to PM this, but it pertains to the ongoing discussions in a way. some have voiced their discomfort in the preceding days with the political discussions in general, and have been told in effect to ignore it all if they are bothered by it. why should sensibilities such as this particular one be treated any differently?
<<why should sensibilities such as this particular one be treated any differently?
I cant' think of a good answer to tsuwm's question, so I'll ask another: Should sensibilities such as this particular one be treated any differently? The answer: No.
Gymkhana, thank you for your thoughtful questions.
As to your first, one would speak of "observing" this holiday.
Your second is more complicated. A standard jewish expression for all holidays (indeed, jocularly used among jews when non-jewish holidays provide a day off work) is good yontif, wishing a "good holiday". Many older jews use the pure yiddish form: gut yontif (first word rhyming with "foot"). The yiddish yontif, meaning holiday, comes from the hebrew yom (as in Yom Kippur) = day, and tov = good [masc. form]).
Shana tovah (= "good year") is the greeting specific to the high holidays, Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur, but is more applicable to Rosh Hashannah. Hebrew: shana = year; hence Rosh Hashannah (the jewish new year's day) = head of the year; and to say shana tovah is to wish one a good year.
Jews observant enough to fast on Yom Kippur might say gemar tov (good fast) or variants, but this is uncommon.
The most precious wish comes from the legend that the Lord chooses, each Yom Kippur, which persons shall be granted the blessing of another full year of life. To closest family members one might say, on Yom Kippur, "May you be inscribed in the Book of Life."
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