JTF.ORG Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: zachor_ve_kavod on March 28, 2009, 11:50:30 PM
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Please forgive my ignorance. Is there a specific Hallacic prohibition on games of chance? Have the Rabbis offered commentary on it? From a social perspective, I view gambling as problematic. I know people with gambling addictions who have maxed out their credit cards and basically destroyed their lives. On the other hand, lotteries generate significant revenues for charity. So I've been somewhat ambivalent on the topic of gambling as a whole.
Now I seek the Jewish perspective. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
If you're out there Muman, I'd especially like your opinion.
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Here is an article about gambling.
http://www.torah.org/features/secondlook/gambling.html (http://www.torah.org/features/secondlook/gambling.html)
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I'm Jewish and I haven't a clue. So I'll be following this thread with curiosity as well.
Personally, I really dislike gambling, it's not fun to me, every time I've tried it, I found it really stressful, I don't get how losing one's hard earned money for nothing is fun, feels really sh**y actually; Seems completely mental to me that people think it fun. :o
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It's an interesting article, but somewhat superficial. There's got to be a lot more to it than that.
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If I recall, Chaim mentioned that a self hating Austrian Jew built a casino for Yasser Arafat in Jericho. With some Jews, but no Muslims, gambling at that casino. I can't recall which " Ask JTF" program this topic came up. But I'm almost positive that Chaim didn't have a favorable opinion about Jews gambling in general and especially at a casino that was benefiting Muslim Nazis.
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If I recall, Chaim mentioned that a self hating Austrian Jew built a casino for Yasser Arafat in Jericho. With some Jews, but no Muslims, gambling at that casino. I can't recall which " Ask JTF" program this topic came up. But I'm almost positive that Chaim didn't have a favorable opinion about Jews gambling in general and especially at a casino that was benefiting Muslim Nazis.
I think Chaim's objection (and mine also) is that the Jews gambling at an arab casino was emblematic of their insanity. I can't think of a more egregious example of Jews funding their own suicide.
Actually wait, I can think of two examples: 1. Jews supplying the arabs with weapons. and 2. Jews releasing arab prisoners. But gambling in a casino where the proceeds are going to go towards buying rockets and suicide vests is obscene.
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I completely agree with what you mentioned about the insane actions in supporting the Arabs. If I'm suspicious that a business is owned by Muslims, I won't give them even a penny of my money.
Regarding gambling, a major concern is that it can be addicting. I know from my own experiences that when it comes to casinos, its difficult for me to stop gambling. I only brought a limited amount of money to the casino. Yet, even with the limited amount of money, I didn't like how I wasn't been affected by the slot machines and other games of chance. For that reason, I now rarely go to casinos. Also, I don't gamble on sporting events, as it takes the enjoyment out of the games for me. I love competition but not when it comes to gambling.
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I gambled once on a cruise ship, I made about 300 dollars then lost 500 ;(.
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Here is some info about gambling in the Talmud.
http://www.lookstein.org/webquests/gamble/sanhedrin.htm (http://www.lookstein.org/webquests/gamble/sanhedrin.htm)
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Here is some info about gambling in the Talmud.
http://www.lookstein.org/webquests/gamble/sanhedrin.htm (http://www.lookstein.org/webquests/gamble/sanhedrin.htm)
Very interesting, thank you!
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From Chabad:
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/604309/jewish/What-is-the-Jewish-view-on-gambling.htm
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In the Talmud,1 the rabbis take a dim view about gambling. Besides being a risky enterprise financially, and addictive, the rabbis say that the winner is really a loser. Morally speaking that is. How so? Because the fellow with the inferior hand wasn't expecting to lose. Therefore, the loser relinquishes his money reluctantly—it's being taken from him willy-nilly, and he is getting nothing tangible in return. In simple English, it's a bit like stealing.
That's not all, though. Gambling, whether betting on horses, roulette or cards, only gives the illusion of contributing to the local economy. In the end, though, it contributes nothing of value that endures.2
Rabbi Eliezer Danzinger for Chabad.org
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From Ohr Samayach Ask the Rabbi:
http://ohr.edu/ask_db/ask_main.php/141/Q1/
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Lee Vyner wrote:
Dear Rabbi,
The Talmud says that someone who earns their salary from gambling is invalid as a witness in a Jewish court because the person who lost doesn't really pay with a full heart. Therefore, the money that he wins is considered theft. If so, what about the stock market? People literally gamble as to the price of a particular commodity or stock, and the person who has a holding of this particular item certainly does not want the price to deteriorate. So is someone who gambles on the stock market invalid as a witness? Lots of love, Lee Mandy and Laivy Avraham (the cutest baby in the world bi'h)
Dear Lee and family,
Stocks are a legitimate investment. Buying stocks is essentially no different than buying diamonds, land, or wheat. True, the stock market has an element of risk, but don't confuse `lost wages' with `Las Vegas.' Do you know of any business which involves no element of risk? If so, do you know their phone number?
Gambling, on the other hand, is a game where each person hopes to guess the right number on the dice, or pick the right horse. Gamblers are invalid as witnesses in a Jewish court.
The Sages of the Talmud differ as to why gamblers are invalid. According to one opinion, someone who wins a bet is like a thief, because he collects prize money that he didn't `earn' and to which he has no true legal claim.
According to another opinion, only a professional gamester -- who has no other source of income -- is invalid as a witness. His integrity is suspect, because he spends his day in pursuits which contribute nothing to society. According to this opinion, someone who gambles only part-time can be a valid witness, provided he's involved in some productive activity.
The following story is told about the Chafetz Chaim: A man once asked the Chafetz Chaim to bless him that he should win the lottery, but the Chafetz Chaim refused. "But you give blessings to people who gamble on stocks, why not when they gamble on lotteries?" the man asked. The Chafetz Chaim answered that he gives blessings to stock investors because if the stock goes up, no one loses money. But blessing one lottery ticket is a `curse' upon the other lottery tickets.
Sources:
* Talmud Sanhedrin 24b
* Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat 34:16
* Story thanks to Will Shulman
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I dont like gambling ONE BIT, I NEVER win, so its no fun. I play to WIN
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I live in Reno, Nevada. I am what you would consider to be a professional gambler. The casinos regard me as an 'advantage player'.
Gambling for a living is a very difficult enterprise. It requires tremendous discipline, mathematical ability, bankroll and patience. Only a very small percentage of people are able to endure and succeed in this endeavor.
The Rabbis are correct in taking a dim view of gambling. Indeed, for most people and society in general, the consequences of gambling addiction are usually disastrous.
That being said, it must be remembered that the backbone of Nevada's economy and the livelihood of many good people is dependent upon legal gambling. Many individuals and families visit Reno and Las Vegas on a recreational basis and enjoy the fine dining, entertainment and shopping these venues offer. Others partake in some of the more sordid activities that are also available.
For the casual gambler it's important to realize you're probably going to lose. It's important to set a limit, stick with it, and gamble only with discretionary income. Enjoy the dining and entertainment. Do some sight seeing. As long as one follows these parameters, a vacation or visit to Vegas and Reno can be quite enjoyable. However, I certainly wouldn't recommend this for Torah observant Jews.
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Is there a difference within Jewish law between a "Fun" Bet where you only put down what you would spend going out for an evenings entertainment and more serious betting? Or is more of a binary yes or no question?
I have put down some bets while on vacation, but never more than a few dollars.
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Las Vegas is a fun over the top city. It reminds me of Manhattan and Los Angeles combined. I've always liked it there, even though I don't gamble.
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I dont like gambling ONE BIT, I NEVER win, so its no fun. I play to WIN
SAME!!!
;D :clap:
I play to win, too ; )
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I live in Reno, Nevada. I am what you would consider to be a professional gambler. The casinos regard me as an 'advantage player'.
Baller!!!
So do you gamble for a living?
Do you go to Indian casinos?
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its frowned upon
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I had a friend who was a computer scientist who worked in Las Vegas programming computerized slot machines. He told me they programmed the machines based upon payout tables that gave the house an advantage and it was all done by law.
He called them "hope exploiting fleecing machines". That's exactly what they are.
Gambling is evil and is a sin in Judaism.
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If any of u wish to gamble a certain amount away expect to lose it. And then when you realize who and the amount your are going to lose, give donate that amount to JTF or tzedaka and realize the world of good you are doing with those who need that money more.