1,246. Death-Bed Confession

193:12 We also visit non-Jews who are sick in order to promote peaceful relations.

193:13 In the Sifri, Rabbi Nasan expounds Numbers 5:6-7 - "the soul who is guilty shall confess" - that all who are about to die should recite the confession (vidui). The Mishna tells us that all who confess have a share in the Next World. We see that Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the G-d of Israel and make confession to Him. Tell me now what you did and do not conceal it from me" (Joshua 7:19). Achan replied, "I have indeed sinned: thus and thus have I done" (7:20). We see that he was forgiven and confessed from 7:25, "Joshua said, 'Why did you bring trouble upon us? G-d will trouble you on this day.'" "On this day" Achan would be troubled but he would not be troubled in the Next World. Therefore, a sick person who may die should be gently encouraged to confess. We tell him not to worry since many have confessed and recovered from their illnesses, while many who didn't confess ended up dying. We tell him that the merit of his confession may be what keeps him alive and that all who confess have a share in the Next World. If the patient is unable to confess verbally, he may do so in his heart. If he can only speak a little, we tell him to say "May my death serve as atonement for all my sins." We also tell him to ask forgiveness from anyone he may have wronged, whether financially or verbally. We do not say these things to him in the presence of someone who may cry, like his wife and children, lest they make him despondent.