Is it possible to communicate with a dead person? Absolutely nothing is in vain, including the personal opportunities and capacities
By the Grace of G-d
20th of Iyar, 5729
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr. . . .
Annapolis, Md. 21404
Greeting and Blessing:
I duly received your letter, in which you ask “Is it possible to communicate with a dead person?"
I must tell you at once that I am replying to this question of yours quite reluctantly, for the reason that will be presently explained.
Basically speaking, in light of one of the foundations of our faith and way of life, there is no question about the eternity of the soul and its survival after the death of the body. This principle is accepted also by all those who believe that a human being has a soul, for there is no reason to say that the disintegration of the physical body should affect the soul, which is pure spirit. It follows therefore that there is no reason to assume that there would be no possibility to communicate with a soul after it leaves the body.
On the other hand, communication requires certain conditions. For example, when one person wishes to communicate with another who lives in a different city, a message must be sent in a language familiar to both, and it must be transmitted and delivered to the right address through an agency, such as a post office, if the message is in the form of a letter. It should be borne in mind moreover that even after the recipient receives the letter or message, there is no compulsion for him to acknowledge it or reply to it, in part or in whole. The same is true in regard to the spiritual communication about which you inquired.
It has been explained in our authoritative sources — and it also stands to reason — that G-d has not created anything in vain.
Inasmuch as the said communication about which you inquire is a very complicated matter, it has nevertheless been made possible, for good reasons, that is to say for good purposes; but once it is available, such communication can also be used in a negative manner, just as in the case of our post office, which has been created for public service, yet it can be abused if and when the facilities of the post office are used in a detrimental way.
Now, having answered your question, I want to explain to you why I have done so very reluctantly. It is due to the fact, as mentioned above, that inasmuch as G-d has not created anything in vain, it means that all the opportunities and capacities that a person has been given by G-d throughout his entire life span, must be used in a constructive and useful way, for all these capacities and opportunities are given in the exact measure, neither less nor more than is necessary for the fulfillment of the individual’s destiny and purpose in life, a purpose which surely is good, since it is derived from the Giver of life, Who is the Essence of Goodness.
Consequently, it follows that when a person uses any part of his energy or time, even a small part, or his knowledge or attention, on anything which has no bearing upon his purpose and task in life, and sometimes on anything which has no bearing on anyone’s purpose in life, this is tantamount to wasting some of the most precious gifts which the Creator has bestowed upon the person. Not only is this wasteful, but there is also the consideration that by diverting any of his attention to the wrong thing, he therefore creates a deficiency in his time and energy, which he would have fully utilized in connection with the fulfillment of his true purpose in life.
To take your case, your first consideration should be the following: Inasmuch as you live in a place in the U.S.A. where there are many Jews, especially young Jews, who have lost their way in life, these lost souls are seeking someone to guide them to the path of truth, which the G-d of Truth has shown in His Torah of Truth (Torat Emet), which is not an abstract Torah, but a practical guide in life, as the word Torah indicates. In light of this, it should be obvious that your first and foremost task should be to use your time, all your capacities and all your influence in the direction of spreading the Truth of Torah and mitzvot, and showing the way how to make it the way of life in the daily life, by showing a living example, as well as by words from the heart which penetrate the heart.
With blessing,
