184. Inquiring of the Dead

Avodas Kochavim 11:12

If a person whispers a spell over a wound followed by a verse from the Torah, or if he recites a Torah verse over a child to keep him from being scared, or if he puts a Torah or tefillin over a baby to make it sleep, he violates the prohibition against casting spells. Not only that, he is considered one who denies the Torah since he is treating the words of the Torah as if they are cures for the body rather than cures for the soul. Regarding this, Proverbs 3:22 says, “They shall be life for your soul.” On the other hand, it is permitted for a healthy person to recite verses from the Torah or Tehillim so that the merit of reading them will protect him from injury and trouble.

Avodas Kochavim 11:13

One who inquires of the dead is a person who starves himself then goes to sleep in a cemetery so that a departed person will come to him in a dream and answer his questions. There are others who wear special clothes, recite incantations, burn incense, and sleep alone so that the departed will come and speak with them in a dream. Anyone who performs some action in order to make the deceased come to him and provide information is liable for the penalty of lashes, for violating Deuteronomy 18:10, “There shall not be found among you…one who inquires of the dead.”