217. The Constant Possibility of Death

Teshuvah 7:1

Since people have free will, one should always try to perform teshuvah and to verbally confess his sins in order to cleanse himself and die a baal teshuvah with a share in the Next World.

Teshuvah 7:2

A person should always consider the possibility that he could die at any time and be found to be a sinner. One should therefore always repent immediately from his sins and not assume that he can just do so when he gets older. This is implicit in King Solomon’s wise advice, “Let your garments be white at all times” (Koheles 9:8).