What does ketiva ve chatima tovah mean in English?

"Ketiva ve chatima tovah" (כתבה וחתימה טובה) is a Hebrew phrase used during the Jewish High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) that means "a good inscription and sealing."

Here's a breakdown of the meaning:

* Ketiva (כתבה) refers to the inscription of our deeds in the Book of Life during Rosh Hashanah.

* Chatima (חתימה) refers to the sealing of those deeds on Yom Kippur.

* Tovah (טובה) means "good."

The phrase is a blessing wishing for a favorable judgment and a good year ahead. It's often said to others during the High Holidays as a way to express hope for a positive inscription of their deeds and a successful year.