Note 50 — Chapter V

According to Babylonian mythology, human destiny was decreed on the New Year’s day and sealed on the tenth day; cf. the Hibbert Journal, V, January, 1907. And according to Talmud (Mišna, Roš hašana, I:2), New Year’s is the most important judgment day, on which all creatures pass for judgment before the Creator. On this day three books are opened, wherein the fate of the wicked, the righteous, and those of the intermediate class are recorded. Hence prayer and works of repentance are performed at the New Year from the first to the tenth days, that an unfavorable decision might be averted; cf. Jewish Encyclopedia, “Penitential Day.” R. Akiba says: “On New Year day all men are judged; and the decree is sealed on the Day of Atonement;” cf. ibid., “Day of Judgement.”