Good Deeds and Sins Accompany the Dead

b. Sotah 3b

220–600

R. Samuel bar Naḥmani said R. Jonathan said: Anyone who fulfills one commandment in this world, that commandment precedes him and goes before him in the world to come, as it is said: And your righteousness shall walk before you (Isaiah 58:8). And anyone who commits one transgression in this world, it shrouds him and goes before him on the day of judgment, as it is said: The courses of their paths wind; they go up into the chaos and are lost (Job 6:18).

Translated by Jenny R. Labendz.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.

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