The Day Of Judgment

MISHNAH. At four seasons the world is judged: at Passover, concerning the grain; at Pentecost, concerning the fruit of the tree; on Rosh ha-Shanah all who enter the world pass before Him like a flock of sheep, as it is said: "He who fashions the hearts of them all, who discerns all their deeds" (Psalms 33:15); and at the Festival they are judged concerning the water. For it has been taught: All are judged on Rosh ha-Shanah, and their sentence is sealed on the Day of Atonement; these are the words of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yehudah says: All are judged on Rosh ha-Shanah, and their sentence is sealed each one in its own time. And a human being is judged on Rosh ha-Shanah, and his sentence is sealed on the Day of Atonement. And Rav Hisda said: As for a king and the community, the king enters for judgment first, as it is said: "That He maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel" (1 Kings 8:59). What is the reason? If you wish, say: It is not proper conduct for the king to sit outside. And if you wish, say: So that He may judge him before the fierce anger grows greater.