Question of the Week:
 
My family suffered a great loss with the passing of my grandfather almost 2 years ago. Since then, some members of the family have found great comfort and solace in consulting with a psychic medium to get messages from 'the other side'. The psychic is often very accurate and it is chilling how the messages are able to come through.

I worry though what the Jewish perspective is on this all. Does Judaism believe in this practice at all? Is there any harm to her or to ourselves?

 
Answer:
 
 Death does not end a relationship. It just changes the mode of contact. The Torah specifies ways that we can connect to souls on high, and ways that we shouldn't.
 
We are forbidden to call upon them through mediums, not because it doesn't work, but because it's simply not nice. We should not disturb their rest. There is a reason that souls move on to higher places - that is where they belong. By using spiritual tactics to communicate with them we drag them back down here, and impede their journey upwards. 
 
But there are gentle ways of connecting with the departed without disturbing them. If we visit their grave, it is like leaving a message in their supernal inbox. They will get it. And they may even respond, in their own way. But we mustn't force it.
 
More than that, we can send them love packages. Every time we do something good in their memory - an act of charity, a prayer, kaddish, or any mitzvah that is done in honour of their soul - this gives them a spiritual lift, and eases the elevation of their soul to higher places of rest.
 
I am sure the family would rather elevate your grandfather's soul than drag it down. It is not worth the temporary solace it may provide if it means harming the soul of a loved one. So they should rather honour him by doing more good. That will benefit the doer, the receiver and the soul of your grandfather.
 
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Moss

 
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Moss
 
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Friday, 17 November 2017 | 28 Cheshvan 5778
Candle Lighting............ 7:20pm
................................. (Not before 6:15pm)
Mincha.........................6:15pm
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Teen Boys Davening..... 6:30pm
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Shabbos Day, 18 November 2017 | 29 Cheshvan
In depth Parsha Class..... 9:00am
Kids Program .............. 10:45am
Shabbos Service...........10:00am-12:20pm
Kiddush sponsored by Stuart Shaw in honour of his birthday on 29th Cheshvan- Mazal Tov!
 
Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishis ... 7:15pm
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MAZAL TOV TO
Michael Green & Kerri Chesler and their extended families in honour of Michael's Aufruf this Shabbos and forthcoming wedding next week.
 
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Arlene Schwartz....... 30 Cheshvan/ Sunday 19 Nov
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LONG LIFE TO
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Cohen, Moshe Ya'cov ben
Haim Dovid HaCohen 30 Cheshvan.. Saturday/18 Nov
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