A southern Israeli resident in his 40s has won an 18 million NIS prize in the lottery which was held last week. The winner has been filling out a ticket a week for many years, always the same numbers. He explained that being Shomer Shabbat he didn’t check his ticket until motzei Shabbos.

“When I realized I won, I immediately phoned my brother. My entire body was shaking. I couldn’t believe it. I truly believe that the winning is because of my donation to our shul on Yom Kippur, which I stated was especially for parnasa. I gave 1,800 NIS and just look; in return I received 18 million NIS.

He admits that he was up the entire night on motzei Shabbos trying to fathom his win and ponder what one does with this sum of money, admitting in his life, he never dreamed of being so wealthy. He hopes to begin by helping secure the future of his children, his brother and payoff his home.

Lottery officials report the winner is married and the father of two and his winning ticket cost him 62 NIS.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)