The Ten Days of Repentance

As the sun sets on Yom Kippur, the judgment handed down on Rosh Hashanah is sealed. Known as the Ten Days of Repentance (Aseret Y'mei Teshuva), the first ten days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei (from the beginning of Rosh Hashanah until the end of Yom Kippur) are highlighted by an intensified desire for teshuva (repentance).

How to Change the Sentence in Ten Days: Teshuva, Tefila U’Tzedukah (Repentance, Prayer and Charity)

Teshuva, repentance, is the major focus both before and after Rosh Hashanah. During the Ten Days of Repentance, it is customary to scrutinize one’s actions and to review the process of teshuva that was begun during Elul, the month before Rosh Hashanah. Many people make extra efforts at self-improvement during the Ten Days. For instance:

* Someone just starting to get more involved with Judaism may determine that the perfect time to begin eating kosher food is during the Ten Days.
* Someone who is farther along in his/her involvement may decide to use the Ten Days to begin davening (praying) regularly.
* Some people choose to strengthen themselves during the Ten Days by designating one hour a day during which they are particularly careful not to speak Lashon Harah (evil or gossip)

Tefila
* The concluding words of the first blessing are changed to: Remember us for life, O King Who desires life, and inscribe us in the Book of Life — for Your sake, O Living G-d
* The conclusion of the second blessing is changed to: Who is like You, merciful Father, Who recalls His creatures mercifully for life.
* The third blessing is amended to end with the holy King instead of the holy G-d.
* The ending of the blessing for the restoration of justice is changed to: the King of Judgment.
* During the second to last blessing, we insert the line: And inscribe all the children of Your covenant for a good life.
* The ending of the final blessing is changed to: In the Book of Life, Blessing, and Peace, good livelihood, may we be remembered and inscribed before You – we and Your entire people, the Family of Israel, for a good life and for peace. Blessed are You, G-d, Who makes peace.

Avinu Malkenu, “Our Father, Our King,” a petitional prayer asking G-d to intervene for our benefit, is recited during the morning and afternoon services.

Tzedakah, charity, is an additional method one may seek to revise or avoid a negative verdict.

*Isn’t that bribing G-d? No. The life-long goal of the human being is to move closer to G-d. While Judaism has mandated laws about giving charity, these laws are meant to develop a person’s sensitivity to those in need. During the Ten Days, when we seek to show G-d that we have grown and are striving to be better, giving charity fortifies our fundamental giving instinct. Rather than bribing G-d, we are actively reminding ourselves of the direction in which we should be moving.

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