There are a few traditional ways that Jews say goodnight. The most common is “Laila Tov”, which means “Good night” in Hebrew. Some other ways to bid goodnight in Jewish tradition are:
Wishing “Sweet dreams”
One way to say goodnight in Jewish culture is to wish someone “Sweet dreams” in Hebrew. The phrase is “Halomot Sladot”. This is a nice way to end a conversation at night and wish someone pleasant dreams.
Saying the Shema prayer
The Shema is a beloved bedtime prayer in Judaism. It proclaims faith in God and comes from Deuteronomy 6:4 which states “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One”. Saying the Shema before bed is a centuries-old custom. The first line “Shema Yisrael” essentially means “Hear O Israel”, so reciting this prayer is another way Jews commonly say goodnight.
Blessing children
Jewish parents have a bedtime ritual of blessing their children before they go to sleep. The traditional blessing goes:
“May God bless you and guard you. May God show you favor and be gracious to you. May God show you kindness and grant you peace.”
This is one of the most popular ways Jews wish goodnight to their children.
The meaning behind “Laila Tov”
The term “Laila Tov” has a simple translation but a deeper meaning in Jewish culture. The word “laila” in Hebrew means “night” and “tov” means “good”. So together they form the common salutation meaning “Good night”.
But why is this phrase so ubiquitous in Jewish tradition? Here are some reasons:
It connects to the Jewish value of greeting others
Jews place a strong emphasis on warmly greeting others. Wishing someone a good night before parting ways aligns with the Jewish value of acknowledging and blessing the people around you. Even if it’s a routine salutation, saying “Laila Tov” expresses care.
It references God’s good creation
In Jewish belief, the world was created by God and declared “good” in Genesis 1:31. Saying “good” in reference to the night evokes this theological meaning. The night and ability to rest are good because they are part of God’s design.
It wishes peace and safety
A “good” night implies a night of peace and safety. Especially in ancient times, the darkness posed many dangers. So hoping that someone would have a “good” night was wishing them secure rest. This concept remains relevant today.
It shows optimism about the future
Wishing a good night also communicates hope. No matter what happened today, tomorrow is a chance for a good day when the sun rises again. “Laila Tov” contains an optimistic spirit about the future.
Alternative goodnight greetings
While “Laila Tov” is the most common, Jews have other traditional ways to end conversations at night or say farewell:
Shalom aleichem / Aleichem shalom
This means “Peace be upon you” in Hebrew. It is a familiar greeting/blessing in Jewish culture, used upon meeting and parting. The response is “Aleichem shalom”, meaning “Upon you be peace”. So at night, Jews may exchange this blessing before saying goodbye.
Hashem yishmor / Hashem yishmorka
This means “May God protect you” in Hebrew. Parents use the blessing “Hashem yishmorka” to ask God to watch over their children as they sleep. Adults wish each other “Hashem yishmor” as they end an evening interaction.
Boker tov
Literally “good morning” in Hebrew, this can also informally mean “see you tomorrow”. If it’s understood people are retiring for the night, telling them “boker tov” expresses hope of reconnecting in the morning.
Lilah tov, metuka
A common maternal blessing said to children at bedtime. It means “Good night, sweetie.” The use of the endearing term metuka makes the goodnight wish feel especially warm and affectionate.
Regional variations
Like many cultural aspects, the Jewish goodnight greeting varies a bit across geographic areas where Jews have settled:
Yiddish speakers
Yiddish developed as the language of Ashkenazi Jews in Europe. The Yiddish equivalent of “Laila Tov” is “Gute nakht.” Pronounced “GOO-teh nahkt”, this is how Yiddish speakers bid goodnight.
Ladino speakers
Ladino is the Jewish language that blended Hebrew and Spanish. Jews in Spain, Portugal, and the Ottoman Empire region spoke it. The Ladino translation of goodnight is “Bwenas notches”.
Persia and Central Asia
Persian Jews traditionally say “shab bekheir” which means “night of goodness.” Jews in Uzbekistan picked up the local farewell “xayrli tun” meaning “good night.”
North Africa
Moroccan Jews say “bslama”, Algerian Jews say “besslama”, and Tunisian Jews say “bsheyt” – all local versions of wishing a peaceful night. Egyptian Jews use the Hebrew “boker tov.”
Iraq
The Jewish Iraqi dialect of Arabic has goodnight terms like “tesbaho ala khair” and informally “sabah el kheir.” This means morning of goodness, similar to Persian Jewish culture.
How technology impacts the Jewish goodnight
Modern technology has changed communication patterns worldwide, and impacted how Jews keep up traditions like saying goodnight:
Texting “LT” or emojis
Many now text the Hebrew abbreviation “LT” for “Laila Tov.” Using emoji symbols like crescent moons and stars has also become popular in digital Jewish conversations.
Video calls with remote family
Jewish families now conduct video calls to say virtual goodnights. This keeps up bedtime rituals when relatives live in different cities or countries.
Goodnight in Jewish WhatsApp groups
WhatsApp groups allow Jewish communities to stay connected. It’s common to post “LT” messages in these group chats before signing off for the night.
Social media posts
Posting a public “Laila Tov” message on Facebook or Instagram has become a way to convey goodnight to wider social networks in a virtual Jewish community.
Children’s books and media with Jewish goodnight rituals
Many children’s books, songs, and shows aimed at Jewish families incorporate traditional goodnight blessings and themes:
Books
| Title | Author | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lailah Tov | Amanda Radke | A girl says goodnight to all aspects of Israel as she gets ready for bed. |
| The Bedtime Sh’ma | Sarah Gershman | A little girl recites the bedtime Sh’ma prayer as her daily routine. |
| Sammy Spider’s First Book of Jewish Holidays | Sylvia Rouss | Sammy Spider wishes his family “Laila Tov” as they celebrate holidays. |
Music
Popular Jewish children’s songs for bedtime:
- “Shalom Aleichem” by Micha Shitrit
- “Mah Yafeh Hayom” by Yael Deckelbaum
- “Numi Numi” Yiddish lullaby by the Kindersangers
TV Shows
- Netflix show “Chico Bon Bon” where a young Jewish boy and his Fix-it Force friends say goodnight.
- Disney Channel’s “Elena of Avalor” features a Jewish princess who recites the Shema at bedtime.
These resources help pass Jewish nighttime traditions to new generations.
How goodnight rituals unite Jewish families
The shared routine of saying “Laila Tov”, the Shema prayer, or other goodnight terms brings Jewish families closer together through:
Bonding
The habitual exchange of nightly farewells, blessings, and wishes creates connection. Familiar phrases said each evening become cherished communication.
Comfort
Hearing the same blessing every night brings children comfort and security. The stable ritual soothes kids and helps them transition peacefully into sleep.
Identity
Passing down these customs teaches Jewish heritage to kids. They gain a sense of identity by practicing the bedtime rituals of ancestors before them.
Gratitude
Thanking God in the Shema prayer and reflecting on the good in life occurs during these nightly interactions. Appreciation grows in both parents and children.
Love
The act of parents blessing the children expresses unconditional love. In return, the “good night” wish models kindness that kids can mirror in other relationships.
Famous goodnights in Jewish texts and films
“Laila tov” has punctuated pivotal scenes in Jewish stories and movies over the years:
The Bible – Jacob and Esau’s reunion
After years of conflict, Jacob and Esau reconciled with Esau offering forgiveness in Genesis 33. Jacob then wished his brother “Laila Tov” under the stars in their emotional reunion.
Yiddish play “The Dybbuk”
In this 1914 drama, the young lovers Leah and Khonnon passionately bid each other “Gute nakht” during a moonlit meeting, foreshadowing their tortured separation.
The 1980 comedy film “The Frisco Kid”
Rabbi Avram Belinski, played by Gene Wilder, repeatedly disrupted his travel companion Tommy’s sleep by enthusiastically shouting “Laila Tov!” despite Tommy’s protests.
The 1995 romance film “The Perez Family”
At a Miami ballroom dance, father and daughter pair Juan and Teresa Perez wish each other a warm Cuban “buenas noches” during a dance, showing their bond.
Common goodnight blessings in other faiths
For perspective, here are some comparable goodnight customs and terms used in other major religions:
Islam
“As-salamu alaykum” means “peace be upon you”. Muslims often say the longer “As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu” meaning “peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you”.
Hinduism
“Shubhratri” translates to “good night” in Hindi. It wishes someone an auspicious night. Family and friends commonly exchange this term.
Buddhism
“Ratri mangalmay ho”, meaning “have an auspicious night” in Hindi, is a popular Buddhist saying. Tibetan Buddhists say “tashi delek” which conveys blessings.
Christianity
“Goodnight God bless” is a common Christian farewell. Catholics often close conversations with “rest in peace” or its Latin form “requiescat in pace.”
All faiths have meaningful nightly customs that connect families, create routine, and honor beliefs.
Conclusion
The Jewish goodnight greeting “Laila Tov”, bedtime prayers like the Shema, and other traditional terms hold deep cultural and religious significance. Far more than routine salutations, these rituals build Jewish identity and community across generations. Whether spoken aloud or typed in a text, the age-old custom of saying “good night” in Hebrew continues to unite Jews worldwide as day transitions to night. The persistence of this beloved tradition reflects the timeless bonds in Jewish heritage. So the next time you turn in for the evening, consider bidding your loved ones “Laila Tov” and enjoy the meaning behind those two little words.