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If the righteous are annually inscribed in the Book of Life, how do they die?

  

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Rabbi Shlomo Chein: Welcome. I'll be with you in a moment...what's on your mind?

Ofnat: I have a Rosh Hashanah question

Rabbi Shlomo Chein: ok

Ofnat: how does a Tzaddik ever die?

Ofnat: when Hashem judges us, how could a righteous person ever die? surely he couldn't be written into the book of death

Ofnat: but I'm obviously not understanding this day of judgement

Ofnat: thanks

Rabbi Shlomo Chein: ok, that is a good question.

Rabbi Shlomo Chein: Many times we assume that death is only a punishment for a sin. However that is not the case

Rabbi Shlomo Chein: There is another reason a person can pass away...

Rabbi Shlomo Chein: a person is sent to this world with a mission - they are taken back from this world when they a) commit too many sins which begin to ruin the mission, or b) when they have successfully completed their mission

Rabbi Shlomo Chein: That is why many Tzaddikim requested that their Yahrtzheit be celebrated as a joyous day, because it is the day their soul has completed its mission in this world

Ofnat: that makes sense, so on Yom Kippur day of atonement, we atone for ours sins so we wont be written into the book of death, and die a physical death due to our sins?

Rabbi Shlomo Chein: that is correct

Ofnat: why shouldnt yom kippur come before Rosh Hashanah

Rabbi Shlomo Chein: Yom Kippur is the final verdict, so it comes after Rosh Hashanah just like an appeals court comes after the regular court  [Ed. note: See also Shouldn’t Yom Kippur (forgiveness) come before Rosh Hashanah (judgment)?]

Ofnat: I see, Hey thanks Rabbi, I appreciate you!

Ofnat: take care

Rabbi Shlomo Chein: happy heathy sweet new year

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Holidays » Rosh Hashanah » About
Tzaddik
(fem. Tzidkanit; pl. Tzaddikim). A saint, or righteous person.
Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish New Year. An early autumn two day holiday marking the creation of Adam and Eve. On this day we hear the blasts of the ram's horn and accept G-d's sovereignty upon ourselves and the world. On Rosh Hashanah we pray that G-d should grant us all a sweet New Year.
Yom Kippur
Day of Atonement. This late-autumn high-holiday is the holiest day of the year. We devote this day to repentance and all healthy adults are required to fast.
Hashem
"The Name." Out of respect, we do not explicitly mention G-d's name, unless in the course of prayer. Instead, "Hashem" is substituted.
Tzaddikim
Plural form of Tzaddik. A Tzaddik is a saint, or righteous person.