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Speaking to the Dead for Jew & Gentile
Question
Why is communing with the Dead forbidden for Jews but I guess gentiles do it all the time at graves? Is it okay to go to a grave and let’s say ask forgiveness from the departed? Or thank the departed, or otherwise speak?
Answer
There are many intricate details on the issue, but in general, speaking to the dead person can include many serious prohibitions, and it clearly is not the way of Judaism. When we go to a grave, usually on the Yahrtzeit (annual date of death), we speak to God (!) and ask Him to forgive us or grant us certain requests for the sake of the good deeds of the deceased. The significant exception, is when a living person offended or hurt someone & needs to ask forgiveness, & the offended person has already passed away, the sinner gathers 10 people around his grave and asks forgiveness from God (!) for the sin that he did to that person. Note, even he speaks to God, not to the dead, and in fact, if the deceased is buried in a different city, you may gather the 10, even not by the grave, for we aren't addressing the deceased anyway. The Rambam even holds that after one's burial, you don't return to the grave even on the Yahrtzeit, for Judaism stresses life and not death! The way to perpetuate one's beloved after their passing away, is by donating or performing some mitzva in their memory, for good actions are what life is about, and especially when we add benefits to the dead who taught us to do those deeds. I should add that at the burial itself (and some say on the Yahrtzeit, as well), tradition says that the soul of the deceased is there, and can be addressed, without any halachic problems.

Seance for Gentiles
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 14, 5781

Burial/unveiling
Rabbi David Sperling | Shevat 7, 5775

Torah Inheritance Laws
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Iyyar 2, 5782

Kaddish for a Non Jew
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky |

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

baruch hamavdil
Adar I 23, 5771

Yericho conquest by Yehoshua
Tevet 28, 5771

Gentile Prophets
Adar II 25, 5771

Orlah fruit trees
Adar I 5, 5771

Shaitels for non-married women
Rabbi David Sperling | Tammuz 29, 5779
Is Induction Cooktop good for Pessach?
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Cheshvan 11, 5770

money on Shabbat
Rabbi David Sperling | Tammuz 20, 5775

Halachot for Netilat Yadayim
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 24 Tishrei 5767

Does God Have Feelings?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 24, 5783

Employer stealing from / cheating customers
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 18, 5783

Health Neglect & Cigarette Smoking in Yeshivas
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 19, 5783
