Lottery fever has gripped the European Union as the Euro Millions prize draw is expected to be around 129,000,000 euro. The European lottery takes place once a week, on Friday evening.
The jackpot has reached a sufficiently high amount to make me take notice. But, I wondered if there are halachic implications for a Jew in purchasing a ticket where the winning numbers are picked after the Sabbath commences.
I emailed a rabbi who wrote back promptly.
If the company that owns the lottery is not owned by Jews, (or it is not public knowledge that it is by Jews,) I have seen those who write that it is permissible to buy the lotto during the week even if the drawing is on Shabbat. The sources given were:
שו"ת מנחת יצחק חלק ג סימן א, שו"ת חשב האפוד חלק א סימן מב.
Since my track record in winning prizes through purchasing raffles or lottery tickets is not the best, I think I will stick with a sure thing. I will contribute the 2 euro I would have spent on a ticket to a tzedaka pushke.
Have a good Shabbos and, for those of you who participate in the lottery, wishing that Hashem fulfills your desires for the good.
P.S. Anyone having an opinion about whether to buy a ticket is welcome to comment. I would love to hear your views on the matter.
If it IS owned by Jews, it may be a problem to buy a ticket even if the drawing is on a weekday due to other (Hoshen Mishpat) considerations.
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