Raffle on Shabbos

Drawing a Raffle on Shabbos

 

One may not draw lots on Shabbos or Yom Tov since it can lead to weighing or writing, and because it is similar to mikach u’mimkar, buying and selling. The following forms of drawing lots are not permitted on Shabbos: If several people own an item jointly, be it food or another commodity, they may not distribute it using a goral, a raffle; nor is drawing a raffle to pick the winner of a prize at a mesibas Shabbos or a chevras Tehillim, permitted. However, if the raffle is not for awarding a prize, but to honor someone with doing a mitzvah, such as  davening at the amud or getting an aliya, such a raffle may be drawn on Shabbos. Nonetheless, some poskim allow this only when opening a book at random to select a winner, but not when using a normal raffle system with raffle tickets. In case a father wishes to divide items in his possession among his children, he may do so by drawing lots provided that all the portions are equal in value and volume. If the portions are not equal, then even though all the items are his, nonetheless he may not do it, dilma osee l’misrach, so that one should not get used to drawing lots. According to many poskim, drawing lots is forbidden during the week as well as it might be considered a form of gambling. 

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Practical Halacha: One minute a day. By Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D'asra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights.