1 Tishrei to 10 Tishrei / September 23 to October 2
Special Insertions in Prayer
Throughout the Aseret Yemai Teshuva (Ten Days of Repentance - days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), various insertions are added in the Amida (standing prayer recited quietly).
These insertions are Zochreinu l'chaim etc., Mi Chamocha etc., HaMelech Hakadosh, HaMelech Hamishpat, Uchtov etc., Uvesefer etc., and (Oseh) HaShalom (Bimromav) instead of Shalom (at the end of the Amidah). This last insertion is added during the Kaddish as well (but not in the Grace after Meals). Some customarily finish the last blessing of the Amidah with Oseh Hashalom instead of “Hamevarech et amo Yisrael Bashalom.” This is not the Chabad custom.
In addition, on Friday night the Chazan should say Hamelech Hakadosh in the mini-repetition of the Amidah (page 172).
In many communities, it is customary to repeat the word Le’eilah in the Kaddish. The Chabad custom is to not repeat this word until the kaddeishim recited during Ne’ilah during which it is repeated. Whenever the word is repeated, one should contract the words min and kol into one word – mikol. This is in order to ensure that there be only 28 words in the first half of the kaddish.
Mistakes
Here are the laws of what to do if one forgot to insert the prayers for the Ten Days of Repentance:
- Ha-kel Hakadosh
If one mistakenly said Ha-kel Hakadosh instead of Hamelech Hakadosh:- If one realized immediately (within 2 seconds), then the person can immediately correct it by saying Hamelech Hakadosh. If one did not realize the mistake right away or already began the following Bracha, he must repeat the Amidah from the beginning. This also applies if one realized his mistake after completing the Amidah. If one is unsure as to whether or not he said HaMelech HaKadosh or not, he must repeat the Amidah.
- Uvchen ten pachdecha
If one forgot to add the insertion Uvchen ten pachdecha etc. on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, if they at least finished the bracha with the words HaMelech Hakadosh, they need not to repeat the Amidah. - HaMelech HaMishpat
If one forgot and said Melech Ohev Tzedaka Umishpat instead of HaMelech HaMishpat; if one realized immediately (within 2 seconds), one can immediately correct it by saying HaMelech HaMishpat.
If one did not realize the mistake right away or already began the following Bracha, one should complete the Amidah. It is considered praiseworthy (although not mandatory) to then repeat the Amidah. (One should have in mind, though, that it is not an obligatory prayer but rather a "volunteer" prayer.) - Other Insertions
If one omitted any of the other insertions, he need not repeat the Amidah. However, if one realized his omission before saying the name of G-d at the end of that bracha, he should add that insertion and continue from where he previously had reached.
If a chazzan mistakenly omits the appropriate insertions during the repetition of the Amidah, the same laws that are explained above apply to him.
Unsure
One who made a mistake and is in the middle of the Amidah but does not know the law may walk and find a sefer (book) which will clarify the law. Some permit even asking a Rav (who has already completed the Amidah) in the middle of the Amidah.
During the Repetition
During the repetition of the Amidah, the community should say the additions of Uchtov and Uvesefer out loud before the Chazzan recites them.
Shir Hama'alot Mima'amakim
During these days, we also add Shir Hama'alot Mima'amakim (Psalm 131) during Shachrit after Yishtabach (as mentioned above). If one is not holding with the minyan, he may skip ahead in order to say this with the minyan. If he wishes, he may also repeat it in its proper place.
