The final verdict concerning the righteous and the wicked is sealed immediately on Rosh HaShana, whereas those whose deeds are balanced receive ten additional days in order to mend their ways.

Rabbi Kruspedai said that Rabbi Yohanan said: Three ledgers are opened in the Heavenly court on Rosh HaShana: one of wholly wicked people, one of wholly righteous people, and one of middling people. Wholly righteous people are immediately written and sealed for life; wholly wicked people are immediately written and sealed for death; and middling people remain suspended from Rosh HaShana until Yom Kippur. If they merit, they are written for life; if they do not merit, they are written for death. (Rosh HaShana 16b)