The meaning of ‘Gmar Hatima Tova’

Shana Tova Vegmar Hatima Tova
 
 "Happy New Year and May you be Inscribed in the Book of Life"
 

Why do Jewish people wish that upon each other?
 
It is traditional to believe that G-d is judging us and our doings throughout the year that has passed.

On the Eve of New Year, the judgment begins.  That is when the Shofar is sounded to ensure that the sky will be opened and G-d will hear our prayers and repentance.  Judgments end on Yom Kippur.  People can still pray for repentance until Yom Kippur itself – the Day of Atonement.

On Yom Kippur G-d decides who will live and who will die, who will be calm and who will be disturbed; who will be poor and who will be rich; who will be humbled and who will be honoured.

By wishing each other this blessing of ‘Gmar Hatima Tova’, we wish each other to be written in the book of life.
 
In Judaism, the relationship between human and G-d is important, and also the relationship between human and human.  As well as obeying all commands and respecting G-d, we must follow the commands that guide us on how to treat friends and family, the poor and the disadvantaged. 

If we wish G-d to forgive us for our sins, it is important that the people we have sinned against forgive us first.  If my friend forgives me, then G-d will forgive me too.

So, by wishing each other ‘Gmar Hatima Tova’ we are actually telling our friends that we forgive them for any sins against us, and then G-d can forgive them too.  In Israel, it is very important to send  each other cards that say ‘Gmar Hatima Tova’.  This is the message to our friends and family that we do not have any hard feelings against them.

Eva Fielding Jackson

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