Anyone who has ever picked up a siddur has noticed that there are a lot of texts in small print. This is not just because we are getting older. It is also because the siddur is responsive to the calendar, just as the calendar is responsive to the reality of our lives (or, at least, the reality of our lives if we were in Israel—praying for rain in New Jersey in October is a little bit nuts, but of course we’re praying for rain in Israel, where they desperately need it).

In the Amidah, there are six examples of the “fine print” that are related to the High Holy Days. Often, they began is additions on the holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur themselves, but they were so meaningful and so popular that their recitation was extended to the whole period in between. In this way, they reflected the whole theme of the aseret yemay teshuvah, the ten days of penitence. In short, this theme is that the persona of G-d has shifted to G-d as king, judge, and patriarchal father (as opposed to creator, revealer, redeemer, healer, etc.).

Here are the changes:

  1. In the first blessing of the Amidah, which talks about G-d’s love for our ancestors (and hopefully for us, too, even if we lack merit), the text adds: “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, which speaks of G-d’s power over life and death, we add: “Whose mercy can compare with Yours, merciful Father? In mercy You remember Your creatures with life.”
  3. The third blessing usually concludes with “Blessed are You Lord, holy G-d.” Here, though, it concludes with “holy King.”
  4. The eleventh blessing usually concludes with “Blessed are You Lord, King who loves righteousness and justice.” Instead, we read the more formal and formidable, “Blessed are You, Lord, King of Justice.”
  5. In the eighteenth blessing, the blessing of thanks, we add “Inscribe all the people of Your covenant for a good life.”
  6. The nineteenth and concluding blessing for peace usually ends with “Blessed are You Lord, Who blesses His people Israel with peace.” Instead, we add a flourish: “May we and the entire house of Israel be remembered and recorded in the Book of life, blessing, sustenance and peace. Praised are You, Lord, Maker of peace.”

 

May it only be so.