"זכרנו לחיים מלך חפץ בחיים וכתבנו בספר החיים למענך אלקים חיים"
“Remember us for life, O King Who desires life, and inscribe us in the Book of Life for Your sake, O Living G‑d.”

QUESTION: Inherent in man’s nature is a desire for life. Why, when praying for life, do we emphasize Hashem’s desire for life and that we are asking for life for His sake?

ANSWER: A Jew comes into this world with a mission to study Torah and do good deeds. When a person lives a lifespan of seventy years and accomplishes very little, his living is only biological but not the true life expected of a Jew.

When we pray for life, we emphasize that we are not referring merely to biological life, which every human being desires and for which he will give everything he has — rather we ask for the sort of life which “You O King” desire that we live - life filled with accomplishment, and not wasted away in vanity. Thus, we beseech, “Inscribe us in the Book of Life — for Your sake,” grant us life which we will use for Your sake — Torah and mitzvot.

(ספר החיים – לאחי המהר"ל מפראג)