Q. I have heard stories of people who were in economic despair and were told by their Chasidic leaders to buy lottery tickets, is that correct or recommendable?
A. Indeed there are a number of such stories recorded of people in need that approached tzadikim for a brocho before or after purchasing a lottery ticket.
Chedvas Hachaim (p.62, quoting from Shaal Ovicho) relates such a story where Rav Elchonon Wasserman Zt"l blessed an individual with a very singular brocho. See also Chofetz Chaim (Maasey Lemelech p. Voeschanan) for a similar tale. Magid Devorov Leyaakov tells an anecdote from the Biaaler Rebbe Zt'l advising a chosid to buy a number of winning tickets. Margolyos Hashas (p.444) in the name of Rav Yitzchok of Boohosh Zt"l on a ticket bought by his Rebetzn. See also Kovetz Maamorim B'chochmo (p.153) quoting a story of Rabbi Yisroel Salanter Zt"l on having real faith and many others.
They all follow the ruling expressed in the prior answer, namely that many Poiskim including Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a rule that raffles and lotteries founded by Gentiles are generally permitted. When Jewish institutions promote them, if most of the monies raised are destined for Torah or Tzedoko organizations, they are acceptable, since one is in any case pleased to donate to them.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld As revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
Important Numbers
