Who is Sol? Why, let me tell you

Q: Who is Sol?

A: Before Tommy (ex-God Squad co-author Fr. Tom Hartman) died I asked him to send me a sign from Heaven that he was OK. This sign would settle a long-standing debate between us about whether or not it was possible to talk to dead people. It was also a way to settle my need to know that death was not the end of my best friend. Tommy agreed to send me a sign, but in the days since Feb. 16, 2016 ... nothing. No choirs of angels, no mysterious strangers, no winning lotto numbers ... nothing!

I recognize that my request to have Tommy dial me up from Heaven violated a long list of Jewish and Catholic laws.

Consulting mediums and talking to the dead is prohibited in many biblical verses that echo Leviticus 19:31, "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritualists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God." (see also: Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-13). In fact, King Saul was deposed from his kingship and killed because his consulting with the Witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28:1-25) was a violation of the command not to consult with mediums. "Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse." (1 Chronicles 10:13-14). As usual, Isaiah has the last and best word, "When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?" (Isaiah 8:19).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is brilliantly succinct, "Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone" (No. 2116).

So thus ends our historical review of the religious prohibition of talking to dead people, but it does not end what happened to me at the diner on Long Island on the second day of Rosh Hashanah (I think you might want be seated for this).

As is my joy and my custom, I had traveled back to New York to preach at my synagogue on Rosh Hashanah. It was wonderful to see my flock and gracious of them to pretend that I was still their shepherd. On the second day, after services and a teaching session, I met Michael and some friends for lunch at the Celebrity Diner on Jericho Turnpike. Michael is a dear friend and a deeply faithful Catholic who had introduced me to Tommy some 30 years ago and remained a major supporter of our work on the God Squad over the years. After the iconic Celebrity Diner chicken salad, Michael asked the friends to leave us and that is when he told me this story:

Michael said that the day before, on Rosh Hashanah, he was shaving and praying, and in his prayer he addressed Tommy.

"I am going to meet your best friend tomorrow for lunch. Do you have anything you want to tell him?"

Michael said that he immediately heard Tommy's voice as clear as a bell.

Tommy said, "Tell Marc that Sol is in charge and that he wants Marc to know that Sol said that this place is beautiful -- more beautiful than he could ever imagine."

Michael said that this made no sense to him and he looked at me and asked me, "Who is Sol?"

I almost lost my chicken salad. I said to Michael, "Sol is the name of my father who died in 2007."

Michael had never met my father and did not know his name, but Tommy did.

My father always acted like he was in charge of things, and Tommy's saying that my dad thought he was in charge of Heaven is exactly the kind of humor Tommy had. Also my dad was fond of saying that something was the most beautiful or most delicious. It was how dad talked.

There was no way Michael could have known any of this. There is no rational way to explain any of this. It was clearly a sign from Tommy, the sign he had promised me.

I don't care about the biblical prohibitions this sign violated. What I do care about is that my dad is in charge of Heaven. What I do care about is that Tommy is OK and that my best friend still has my number. On other days I may know more or I may know differently, but today that is all I know and it is enough for me today.

(Send ALL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS to The God Squad via email at godsquadquestion@aol.com. Rabbi Gellman is the author of several books, including "Religion for Dummies," co-written with Fr. Tom Hartman.)