On a religious note, the probable reason the amount is $36M is that 18 is a special value in Judaism. In Hebrew the word chai (which means "to life")is represen

On a religious note, the probable reason the amount is $36M is that 18 is a special value in Judaism. In Hebrew the word chai (which means "to life")is represented as the number 18, and it is considered a good deed to give donations in that amount. He and his wife apparently combined their $18M amounts. For more: http://www.shiva.com/learning-center/commemorate/chai/ http://www.shiva.com/learning-center/commemorate/chai/