We spend approximately six weeks, from the beginning of Ellul until Yom Kippur, aware that HaShem will first inscribe and then seal us for the circumstances in which we find ourselves in the coming year. I therefore have a philosophical question about Mevorachin Hachodesh, and by extension, tephilla generally.

If we are to believe that HaShem has sealed what will happen in the coming year, how can we pray to Him again for all the things that we have already prayed He has sealed for us on Yom Kippur? This goes for any Bakasha (asking) prayer too.

We are told that it is forbidden to pray to HaShem for an event that has already come about. For example, one cannot pray to HaShem on the day exam results come out for them to be good - the matter has already been resolved. Similarly, if HaShem has sealed what will happen, hasn't the matter already been finalised?

Furthermore, the formula for the Avinu Malkeinu prayer recognises this. During the 10 Days of Repentance we implore HaShem to "inscribe" us in various books, whereas when we say the same phrases during the year, we replace inscribe with "remember". Inscribing implies an active role (during the 10 Days of Repentance), whereas remembering implies a non-active role (during the rest of the year).

In summary, my dilemma is as follows. Either HaShem does seal our fates on Yom Kippur, in which case it could be considered futile or at worst a lack of belief to continue asking Him for things. Or, it is possible to continue asking for things with a belief that they may be granted, in which case our fates are not sealed on Yom Kippur.

The Gemarah in Rosh Hashana 16a brings a few Shitos when there is a Din. R’ Meir says that the Din is on R”H and the seal is on YK. R’ Yehudah says that the Din is on R”H and the seal is on the 4 times of the year that the world is judge. R’ Yosi says there is a Din every day and R’ Nosson says every moment.

The Gemarah asks “Who do we do like praying for the sick? Like R’ Yosi. Alternatively, according to everyone and like R’ Yitzchok’s says, that a cry (to Hashem) is good before and after the Din.

Tosfos D”H K’man asks didn’t R’ Meir and R’ Yehudah Davin R’faeinu and Baruch Aleinu? He answers that the Gezeira (decree) was only on who will become sick, not when they’ll be better. So our Gemarah is saying that how can we Davin for people not becoming sick.

For Parnasa, he says, that even though the amount was already sealed, but that amount could come in a way of blessing or the opposite. So we pray that it should come in the most benefiting way.

Or else, when we pray for the whole masses, since the decree on the masses could be destroyed. So we pray for all the sick together