There’s a lot of confusion about when is the right time and how to use the Jewish salutation, ‘Chag Sameach.’ A lot of people use the greeting to say Happy Passover which is the Jewish equivalent of Easter as the former is commemorated barely 3 weeks after the latter.
However, the literal translation of ‘Chag Sameach’ is Happy Holidays and some Jews who seem to be more informed often use it when greeting others during the many Jewish holidays and festivals that exist. Because of this dilemma, finding the best responses to ‘Chag Sameach’ can be a little bit dicey.
Someone could say it to you as their creative way of saying ‘Happy Holidays,’ as a salutation to commemorate Passover, or as a greeting to express their good wishes during other Jewish celebrations.
Notwithstanding, I have considered all the possible reasons why someone may tell you ‘Chag Sameach’ and this post is a compilation of the best responses to give for all the possible use cases.
Thanks. Chag Sameach To You As Well
‘Thanks. Chag Sameach to you as well is one of the best choices for responses to ‘Chag Sameach.’ It is one reply I’d recommend you use especially when you don’t know so much about Jewish holidays or you aren’t necessarily interested in the conversation.
Pesach Sameach, My Friend
‘Pesach Sameach, my friend’ is the correct way to say Happy Passover. So when a person tells you Chag Sameach and it is the time for the commemoration of the Passover, you can respond with ‘Pesach Sameach.’
What Do You Love About This Holiday?
Another lovely way to respond to ‘Chag Sameach’ especially when you aren’t sure if they mean ‘Happy Passover’ is to ask them what they love about the holiday. From their answer, you can tell what holiday they are celebrating and wish them a Chag Sameach back or extend the appropriate response.
Pesach Alegre
‘Pesach Alegre’ is translated as ‘Merry Passover.’ If you are sure the holiday being celebrated is the Passover, you can respond to ‘Chag Sameach’ with ‘Pesach Alegre’ which is pronounced as Pay-SAKH AH-lay-greh.
Moadim L’simcha
Another Jewish salutation that can be used during Passover celebrations is ‘Moadim L’simcha’ which means ‘May your times be happy.’ They mostly use this prayer during Passover as a recognition of how their ancestors were happy after being released from their captivity in Egypt. You pronounce Moadim L’simcha as MOH-ah-deem LUH-seem-khah.
Oh Yeah. Happy Passover To You And Yours
You can excitedly say ‘Happy Passover to you and yours’ in response to someone’s ‘Chag Sameach’ wishes. Extending your heartfelt regards to the person and their family is a good way to share the love and joy of the season whether you are Jewish or not. You can also say:
- I just want to wish you a Happy Passover celebration with all its attendant blessings.
- Yeah, my regards to you and your family.
What’s The Holiday We Are Celebrating?
Knowing that the ‘Chag Sameach’ salutation could mean a variety of holidays, you can respond by asking the person ‘What’s the holiday we are celebrating?’ If they aren’t sure you can just wish them a Chag Sameach back in response. However, if they let you know, you can respond appropriately.
- Is it Passover, Purim, or Rosh Hashanah you are celebrating?
- I don’t know what the holiday is about. Care to enlighten me?
A Koshern un Freilichen Pesach
You can also say ‘A Koshern un Freilichen Pesach’ in response to ‘Chag Sameach.’ This is a Yiddish greeting for Passover which means ‘Have a happy and kosher Passover.’ You pronounce A Koshern un Freilichen Pesach as Ah KUH-sher-in oon FRAY-lekh-in peh-SAKH.
Gut Yontif
‘Gut Yontif’ is another Yiddish response to ‘Chag Sameach’ and it means ‘Good Holiday.’ The reason I like this reply is because you do not have to worry about what the holiday or festival is that prompted the ‘Chag Sameach’ greeting because Gut Yontif is like wishing someone a happy holiday. If they are saying ‘Chag Sameach’ to wish you a Happy Passover or anything else, tell them Gut Yontif and you’ll be fine.
You Are In High Spirits Today. What Exactly Are You Excited About?
If you observe that the person who wished you ‘Chag Sameach’ is way more excited than they normally are, you can use that observation to reply to them. Every Jew would be euphoric about Passover and you can exploit that to craft a response. Want more ideas? Here are other ways to talk about their excitement in response to ‘Chag Sameach:’
- Your excitement for Passover is surreal. What’s happening?
- The way you are happy about Passover this year makes me wonder what the atmosphere was like as they left Egypt.
Yeah. My Family Has A Lot Planned For This Year’s Holiday So I Am Looking Forward To It
If you are Jewish, Passover is not going to be a quiet affair. There would be lots of plans for Passover as it is a week-long celebration, eight for Jews living outside Israel. You can share your plans for the celebrations with the person who wished you ‘Chag Sameach’ if it is truly Passover.
- We’d be spending Sameach in Israel for the first time as Jews.
- My parents want everyone at home for Passover. It’s going to be a full house and I can’t wait to see all of my aunties and uncles.
Chag Kashruth Pesach
Another Jewish response that is specifically used by Jews to wish each other a Happy Passover is ‘Chag Kashruth Pesach.’ So if you want to make your response to ‘Chag Sameach’ Jewish and have depth, you can use this greeting. It means ‘Happy kosher Passover’ because as a holiday greeting, Chag Kashruth Pesach also emphasizes the observance of kosher dietary practices during the festive period.
I Am Already Enjoying The Feeling And Upbeat Atmosphere
Telling the person that ‘I am already enjoying the feeling and upbeat atmosphere’ will suffice as a response. I often use this as a way to respond to people’s wishes to me during special occasions like Christmas and New Year. Hence, I’ll heartily recommend it if you get the ‘Chag Sameach’ wish.
Usually, preparations for Passover celebrations are like that of Christmas. There’s bound to be the buzz, the excitement, the joy, and lots more. Based on this perspective, here are a couple of ways to craft your response:
- Passover starts tomorrow and I am so excited, I can’t even contain my joy.
- This has to be the best Passover in terms of activities leading to its start.
I Had No Idea Today Is Passover
You had no idea the Passover season had come. Just like Easter, the time for Passover each year changes and if you aren’t in Jewish circles, you may not be aware of the actual date for Passover. If this happens to you, you can respond with ‘I had no idea today is the first day of Passover.’ You can explore the following suggestions if you plan on using this response:
- Already? Passover is here?
- Thank you, mate. I wasn’t sure when Passover would be held this year.
I Hope The Joys Of The Passover Remain A Part Of Our Lives Forever
‘I hope the joys of the Passover remain a part of our lives forever’ is a simple way to reply to someone who tells you ‘Chag Sameach.’ Passover was a joyful moment for the children of Israel as they were freed from 430 years of bondage in Egypt. Hence, a response like this is a prayer and goodwill.
- May the joyous spirit of Passover be a constant presence in our lives.
- Here’s to wishing that the blessedness of Passover remains with us eternally.
Do You Mind Joining Us For Seder?
You can invite the person to join you for Seder which is a ritual feast conducted on the first day of the Passover week. If you are celebrating Passover, you can use the opportunity to extend an invitation to the individual who wishes you ‘Chag Sameach.’
- I would like you to come have Seder with me and my family.
- Same to you my friend. It would be lovely to have you over for Seder if you don’t mind.
I Am Not Jewish But I Wish You The Best Of This Holiday
Stating that you’re not a Jew and would not be celebrating Passover is a good way to respond to ‘Chag Sameach.’ Although, the person may just be wishing you Happy Holidays. If they are and you respond with ‘I am not Jewish but I wish you the best of this holiday,’ you’ll be saving yourself from needless explanations.
- Wishing you the best of this holiday even though I am not a Jew.
- I wish you the very best, but I am not a Jew.
I Have A Feeling This Is Going To Be One Of The Best Passover Celebrations Yet
Another way to respond to ‘Chag Sameach’ is to express what you feel about the festival. Based on this, you can say ‘I have a feeling this is going to be one of the best Passover celebrations yet.’ They may be tempted to ask why you feel that way or better still you can be a little more detailed about what you feel.
- My Dad and Mom are celebrating their anniversary and it coincides with Passover celebrations
- I am not sure there’ll be a better time to celebrate Passover than now
The Holiday Is Beginning in Top Gear
I like this response because it can work either when someone is wishing you ‘Chag Sameach’ because of the Passover celebrations, or any other Jewish celebrations, or they are trying to uniquely wish you a happy holiday using Yiddish.
When you say ‘The holiday is beginning in top gear,’ it doesn’t matter whether they meant Happy Passover, Happy Purim, or Happy Holidays, the response fits perfectly. Other ways you can respond in this manner to ‘Chag Sameach’ include:
- I like that the holiday is starting with this excitement.
- You can tell it is going to be a lovely holiday from the preparations.
I Am Feeling Festive Already
You can say ‘I am feeling festive already’ in response to ‘Chag Sameach.’ Here you are asserting how you feel about the holiday. You may go into exact details about what you particularly look forward to as the holiday unfurls or just vaguely respond with a statement that connotes your excitement for Passover or the holiday marking the period. If you need more ideas, here are a few below:
- I am already caught up in the euphoria of the season.
- The holiday magic is already working wonders around me.
Before You Go
The phrase ‘Chag Sameach’ is significant of the spirit of joy and celebration which was present at the Passover in Bible times. While it has several use cases, its use in communicating heartfelt wishes during Passover is generally accepted. Any of these responses I have shared will help you not run out of responses to “chag Sameach.”
