" These shmystal-crystals, Akiva. What do people do with them? Do they talk to them and wait for an answer? Do they hold them up to the sun and tan their faces? What?” “I’m not a crystal expert, Rav Schulman, but I think they’re used to communicate with the dead.” The old man shook his head with disapproval. “I will never understand the fascination with the dead.” “We all die.” “Yes, we do, but we all live as well. People should concentrate on bettering their lives, not trying to second-guess the other side. If they live righteously, they’ll have nothing to worry about. Boruch Hashem, I’ve made it this far. Now one might even say I have one foot in the grave—” “Rabbi—” “Not that I’m ready to die.” The old man stood and took out two shot glasses. “But if it happens, it happens. People who fear death do not fear God. Besides, Akiva, what do the sages teach us about Torah?” “It was meant for the living not the dead.” “Correct!” Schulman filled the glasses with whiskey and handed one to Decker. “So, my friend, let us live and learn and do mitzvot as Hashem commanded us.” He held his drinking glass aloft. “To life—l’chaim.” “L’chaim,” Decker said. "

― Faye Kellerman , False Prophet (Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus #5)