The Maharil, known as the complier of Ashkenazic customs, writes that it is customary to includes special greeting in the Month of Elul when one writes a letter to a friend.

It is the practice to include the following blessing: K'siva V'Chasima Tova (May you be insribed for a good year). In Israeli Hebrew it is: K'Tiva V'Chatima Tova.

Today, with so many people writing to each other via e-mail, there is a remarkable opportunity to uphold this custom. You can put a greeting in your signature file!

This custom has special importance since one of the most important aspects of the Days of Awe is for friends to reconcile their grievances with each other. This aspect of human relations called in Hebrew: Bein Adam L'Chaveiro (between man and his friend), can only be maintained when those with grievances ask one another personally for forgiveness. Until that takes places, not even the automatic atonement of Yom Kippur will be of any help to him.

Taking the time to wish another another best during Elul, will encourage the eventual reconciliation between the aggrieved persons.

Below are a number of graphic images with Hebrew that you can save to use in Holiday greeting cards.

scales scales
a sweet yearShanah Tova/A Good Year
Apple/HoneyRosh Hashanah


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