During the Ten Days of Repentance the congregation recites penitential prayers [Selihot], and there are also some additions and changes to the formula of daily prayers. These changes express the atmosphere of these days, in which God renews His kingship over the world and we approach Him to seek His mercy.

In the month of Elul, as well as during the Ten Days of Repentance, it is customary in most communities to recite Selihot. The Selihot should ideally be recited after the middle of the night or before dawn. Alternatively, many recite the Selihot right before the morning prayer service. The Selihot of the Ten Days of Repentance are slightly longer than those recited during the month of Elul.

The practice of the Lubavitch hasidic community is not to say Selihot during the Ten Days of Repentance.

In the morning prayers, it is customary in many communities to open the ark after the Yishtabah blessing and to recite Psalms 130: “A song of ascents. Out of the depths I call to You, Lord….”

In all the Amida prayers of the Ten Days of Repentance, the following supplications are inserted:

In the first blessing, after the words lema’an shemo be’ahava, “for the sake of His name, with love,” one adds:

“Remember us for life, King who desires life, and write us in the book of life, for Your sake, God of life.”

In the second blessing, after the phrase umatzmiaḥ yeshua, “And makes salvation grow,” one says:

“Who is like You, compassionate Father, who remembers His creations for life, with compassion.”

At the conclusion of the third blessing, instead of Ha’El Hakadosh, “the holy God,” one says: HaMelekh hakadosh, “the holy King.”

In the conclusion of the blessing about the restoration of justice, instead of Melekh ohev tzedaka umishpat, “the King who loves righteousness and justice,” one says: HaMelekh hamishpat “the King of justice.”

In the blessing of thanksgiving [Modim], before the words vekhol haĥayim, “let all that lives,” one adds:

“And inscribe for a good life all the children of Your covenant.”

Lastly, just before concluding the final blessing one adds:

“In the book of life, blessing, peace, and prosperity (some add: salvation, comfort, and good decrees), may we and all Your people of the house of Israel be remembered and inscribed before You for a good life, and for peace.”

If one mistakenly concluded the third blessing with the usual formula, “the holy God,” instead of “the holy King,” he must repeat the Amida prayer from the beginning. If one concluded the blessing of the restoration of justice in the normal manner, instead of with “the King of justice,” there are different halakhic opinions regarding how he should proceed, and each person should consult his rabbi.

If one forgot any of the other additions mentioned above (which are later additions historically), he does not need to recite the Amida prayer again.

After the Amida of the morning and afternoon prayers, the congregation recites “Our Father, our King” [Avinu Malkeinu], which can be found in prayer books.