Gershon Distenfeld, an Orthodox Jew from New Jersey, came in 8th place at the World Series of Poker Championship held in Las Vegas this past week.
Distenfeld won a payout of $125,885 for his skills but said he will be donating the money to tzedakah.
“We were blessed by G-d with financial resources, and we always saw ourselves as responsible for using these resources that G-d gave us to do good with the world, whether they are financial or skilled.”
{Matzav.com}
Discretion is the better part of valor.
Matzav’s staff should ponder if this post is helpful or possibly damaging.
The last thing we need is portraying a positive aspect of gambling.
Great chinuch
And all the zechus from the tzedaka goes to the sitra acher. Why is matzav celebrating someone who Chazall say is pasul.
Poker is klippos and Jews should not be playing it, certainly not orthodox Jews. Haven’t they learned this in Yeshiva?
Wow. Kiddush Hashem! Me kiamcha yisroel?! I also want to make a Kiddush Hashem. After reading this incredible story, I also want to start gambling. I will start today!
Asmachta lo kanya!
Seeing as this is not actual gambling but a game with a winner, (no personal money in the pot) all your halachic objections are moot. The hashkafic objections are real but try to see some good in the overall story.
Wait to begin on NITTEL Night.
Gelt iz gelt. U who disagree get off your Hightower.
Reb Simcha u the man, 4 aces and 4 kings. Gelt iz king.
apparently you dont know what Chazal say about Money from bad places
לא תביא אתנן זונה ומחיר כלב בית ה’ אל-היך לכל נדר כי תועבת ד’ הוא.
while I don’t agree with publishing this story.
everybody here would accept the money real easy!
let’s be real
It’s assur for an ehrliche Yid to go to Las Vegas. Period, end of story. The tumah of the air is shreklach enough.
“everybody here would accept….” NOPE ! b”h there are ehrliche yidden out there. i bless you , that you find them and get to know them
Hmmm. How did it get the name “sin city”? Why would they give it such a name?