During the 10 Days of Penitence from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur, there are a number of additions and changes to the Amidah. These reflect the themes of this time period—G-d as king and judge, who determines our fate for the coming year.

  1. In the first blessing of the Amidah, we add: “Remember us that we may live, O King who delights in life. Inscribe us in the Book of Life for Your sake, Living G-d.”
  2. In the second blessing of the Amidah, we add: “Who is like you, Father of compassion, in mercy you remember your creatures for life.”
  3. In the third blessing we change the ending from “holy G-d” to “holy King.”
  4. On weekdays, in the 11th blessing which speaks of justice, we change the ending from “Blessed are You G-d, king who loves justice with compassion,” to “king of judgment.”
  5. In the 6th blessing on Shabbat or holidays (=the 18th blessing on weekdays), we add “Inscribe all the people of Your covenant for a good life.”
  6. In the last blessing, we add b’sefer chayim: “May we and the entire House of Israel be remembered and recorded in the Book of life, blessing, sustenance, and peace. Praised are You G-d, Source of peace (note the change of ending from “Praised are You, G-d, who blesses the people Israel with peace.”)

On Shabbat and holidays it is not customary to ask for things, so these additions are remarkable. They were accepted because the passionate desire to be inscribed in the book of life was so extreme that it would have been impossible to ask the people to restrain themselves, and a rabbinic principle is that you don’t make laws that most people won’t be able to follow.