גְּמַר חֲתִימָה טוֹבָה

ביטוי (אנגלית)

May you be signed and sealed with happiness

הגדרה (אנגלית)

A blessing for a good year said near Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (originating from the belief that on Rosh Hashanah a person's decree is written by God, and on Yom Kippur the decree is 'sealed' finally).

(“And behold, it is well known that the final sealing takes place on Hoshana Rabbah, and on the eighth day, Shemini Atzeret, the notes are delivered.” — Maor VaShemesh, Bamidbar, Parashat Pinchas; and likewise: “May the Lord complete [it] on his behalf; a good final sealing to the soul of the rabbi, the renowned gaon…” — Chatam Sofer Responsa, Part II (Yoreh De’ah), no. 204; and likewise: “But why should I approach him with insolence on the eve of Yom Kippur at nightfall? A good final sealing!” — S. Y. Agnon, Ore'ach Nata Lalun, p. 7.)