Soc.Culture.Jewish Newsgroups Frequently Asked Questions and Answers URL: www.scjfaq.org/faq/19-17.html

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Question 19.17:
What is the meaning and origin of the phrase B'shaah Tova?

B'shaah Tova can be translated to mean "in a propitious time", which implies that any type of positive occurance in life has a possibility of happening at any point in time that may be good or bad or anything in-between, and that a wish that it happens at a propitious, or "good" time has an impact on the event itself. This is also another way of saying Mazal Tov, which translates to mean ""Good Luck" or "May the Mazalos impact you (or this event) for the good." Most people who say Mazal tov usually mean to say "congratulations" or "I'm happy for you". However, "BeShah Tovah" and "Mazal Tov" have virtually the same meaning.

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