When someone says mazel tov how do you respond?

Answer 1

Several choices:

1). Most common, appropriate and useful in English-speaking countries: "Thank you !"

2). In older Ashkenazic congregations: "ah SHAY-nem DAHNK !" ("A beautiful thank-you" in Yiddish.)

3). Most formal, least likely to be understood: "bah-RUCH tee-HYEH !" ("May it be a blessing"),

or "biv-rah-KHAH" ("with blessing !"), both in Hebrew.

Answer 2

There's no definite answer, since there is no one response used in this case.

'Baruch Tihiye' (ברוך תהיה) is the most common response.

It means - bless you.

You can also say 'Toda' (תודה)' meaning 'thank you'.

If relevant, you can also say 'Bekarov Etslecha' (בקרוב אצלך) meaning - may you experience the same event soon.

Answer 3

It is similar to congatulations and is appropriate in the same circumstances (bar mitzvah, wedding, etc.). Literally, it means 'good luck'.