In the machzor, there is liturgy unique to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This week Rabbi Woznica will select a few prayers and readings and share his insights.
Zochreinu l’chayim… “Remember us for life, Sovereign who delights in life. And inscribe us in the Book of Life for Your sake, O living God.”
This addition to the Amidah is to be recited throughout the Ten Days of Repentance. The Book of Life is found in the Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 16a) where we envision God reading the record which contains the names of three types of people; the completely righteous, the completely evil, and everyone else.
Those deemed righteous are immediately inscribed for life: the evil are designated for punishment and demise. Everyone else’s fate is held in suspension between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
The Talmud suggests that in doing so, God is giving us the opportunity to shape our future by acting in ways that would influence God to inscribe us for life in the coming year. This suggests our actions in the ten days beginning with Rosh Hashanah and concluding with Yom Kippur are especially significant.
— Rabbi David Woznica