PART V
When a person is on the verge of death, he is obligated to say Vidui and confess his sins. However, as important as this is, if mention of it to the sick person would endanger his health, we should avoid mentioning it. In order to calm the person, he should be reminded that the fact that he is saying Vidui does not mean that he is going to die.
In fact, many times it happens that a person says Vidui and then recovers or, conversely, fails to confess and then dies. Our Holy Torah tells us that whoever confesses has a share in the World to Come. Confession includes regretting all sins committed during his lifetime, through speech, thought, and deed. At the brink of death, a person recognizes that he is about to enter the Olam Haemes, the World of Truth, and stand before his creator and judge. Confession at this time helps insure a portion in the World to Come.
The second part of confession involves a person accepting upon himself that henceforth, whether he will live one more hour or many years, he will live and act in accordance with G-ds will in order that he should be able to stand before the Heavenly Court when the time comes. If a person can't express his confession orally due to physical limitations, he should confess in his heart. If he does not know the words of the formal confession, Vidui, he should say My death should be an atonement for my sins.
In which situations should we refrain from encouraging a sick person to say Vidui? If he will not understand what we are saying or will not heed our words, we should not mention the subject to him. As previously mentioned, confession should also not be discussed with a person who will become so distraught with the topic that his condition will further deteriorate.
When a person is about to die, he should not be left alone. If death should come when the person is alone, it causes intense pain to the soul. We can understand this concept in earthly terms. When a person leaves his familiar home (This World) and travels to a new and unfamiliar environment (the Next World), it is a very difficult experience. Similarly, we stay with an ill person in order that the soul should not feel alone at the time of death, or departure from this world.
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Part VI - The Law of a
Goses