Debating the Angel of Death

When we go to a funeral and listen to the eulogies of the departed, we are saddened and often inspired.  This often causes us to think about how we are living our lives.  We wonder how we would be eulogized.  If we are honest with ourselves, we might not like what we would hear.   Which leads us to make promises and resolutions to ourselves to make changes.  How often and for how long do you keep them?

We have all heard the idea of “what would you write, if you were writing your own eulogy”?

Let’s try a different approach.  There is a tractate in the Talmud that discusses how some of the Sages debated the Angel of Death, when he came for them.  How they tried to convince him to leave with his work undone.

How would you debate the Angel of Death?

Would you tell him of the good you have done?  If so, what would that be?

Would you tell him of the good you still have to do and therefore that you are still needed here?  If so, what would that be?

Would you tell him that you are ready to repent for past sins/misdeeds and now are ready to perform the good that you were created for and meant to?  If so, what would that be?

If he accepted any or all of your reasons for his delay, how long would you continue doing the things that might keep him away?

In Ethics of the Fathers, it says “Repent the day before you die”.  That leads to the obvious question of “How will I know when “That’ll be the Day” (Buddy Holly)?  That leads to the obvious answer of….. Live everyday as though it is the “day before…”!!!

“Not a single moment in a person’s life is extra. Each person is given a particular number of days to accomplish their dreams.” – Unknown

“Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today”. – James Dean

Heart and Soul

Some of this post was inspired by this article read here