On four occasions each year the Holy One, blessed be He, judges the world and humanity. On Rosh HaShana all people pass before God for judgment, and He judges each person individually and everyone together, in a single glance.

At four times the world is judged: On Passover it is judged concerning grain; on Shavuot it is judged concerning fruits of the tree; on Rosh HaShana all creatures pass before Him like benei maron, for judgment, as it is stated: “He who fashions all their hearts, who understands all their deeds” (Psalms 33:15); and on the festival of Sukkot they are judged concerning water.

What are benei maron? Here, in Babylonia, the Sages interpreted it: Like a flock of sheep [imerana]. Reish Lakish said: Like the ascent of Beit Maron. Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: Like the soldiers of the house of David. Rabba bar bar Hana said that Rabbi Yohanan said: And they are all scanned in a single scan. (Mishna Rosh HaShana 1:2; Rosh HaShana 18a)