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Games on Shabbat: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Board_games.jpg|200px|right]]
[[Image:Board_games.jpg|200px|right]]
The essence of enjoying Shabbat is spiritual and at the same time should be pleasurable for every individual. It is for this reason that adults (anyone above Bar or Bat Mitzvah) should desist from games on Shabbat.<Ref> Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:1, Children in Halacha (Rabbi Simcha Bunim pg 132), Kaf Hachaim 308:259, Sh"t Az Nidberu 1:13, Yam Shel Shlomo Masechet Beitzah 1:34. See Sh”t Or Letzion 2:45:5 who only permits games for girls under Bat Mitzvah because for adults it’s an issue of [[muktzah]], and for boys under [[Bar Mitzvah]] it’s an issue of getting them involved in something that will cause [[Bitul Torah]]. The Gemara Yerushalmi [[Shabbat]] 15:3 writes that [[Shabbat]] was given for people to learn torah. Ben Ish Chai (Parashat Shemot Halacha 2) writes that the reward for learning torah on [[Shabbat]] is one thousand times greater than during the week. </ref> Children may play games but should be careful with which games they play. For further elaboration of this point, see the [[Talk:Games_on_Shabbat|discussion page]].  
The essence of enjoying Shabbat is spiritual and at the same time should be pleasurable for every individual. It is for this reason that adults (anyone above Bar or Bat Mitzvah) should desist from games on Shabbat.<Ref> Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:1, Children in Halacha (Rabbi Simcha Bunim pg 132), Kaf Hachaim 308:259, Sh"t Az Nidberu 1:13, Yam Shel Shlomo Masechet Beitzah 1:34. See Sh”t Or Letzion 2:42:5 who only permits games for girls under Bat Mitzvah because for adults it’s an issue of [[muktzah]], and for boys under [[Bar Mitzvah]] it’s an issue of getting them involved in something that will cause [[Bitul Torah]]. The Gemara Yerushalmi [[Shabbat]] 15:3 writes that [[Shabbat]] was given for people to learn torah. Ben Ish Chai (Parashat Shemot Halacha 2) writes that the reward for learning torah on [[Shabbat]] is one thousand times greater than during the week. </ref> Children may play games but should be careful with which games they play. For further elaboration of this point, see the [[Talk:Games_on_Shabbat|discussion page]].  


===Games Which Are Muktzeh===
===Games Which Are Muktzeh===
# The following items are considered by some to be Kli Sh’Melachto LeHeter while others consider by others to be [[Kli Sh’Melachto LeIssur]].
# The following items are considered by some to be [[Kli Sh’Melachto LeHeter]] while others consider by others to be [[Kli Sh’Melachto LeIssur]].
## Jigsaw puzzles <ref> Sefer Tiltulei [[Shabbat]] (pg 25 note 24) considers puzzles to be Keli SheMelachto LeIssur as it’s forbidden to put together a puzzle on [[Shabbat]]. So writes Shalmei Yehuda (pg 90) quoting Rav Elyashiv. [It’s clear to me, that the above poskim hold like those who forbid building puzzles [including Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:23]. However, according to those who are lenient regarding building puzzles [Sh”t Or Letzion 2:45:6, Sh”t Beer Moshe 6:26, Rav Pinchas Scheinberg (“Children in Halacha” pg 140), and Menuchat Ahava (vol 3, 22:16) under certain conditions (see there)], the jigsaw puzzle should only be Kli Sh’Melachto LeHeter.] </ref>
## Jigsaw puzzles <ref> Sefer Tiltulei [[Shabbat]] (pg 25 note 24) considers puzzles to be Keli SheMelachto LeIssur as it’s forbidden to put together a puzzle on [[Shabbat]]. So writes Shalmei Yehuda (pg 90) quoting Rav Elyashiv. [It’s clear to me, that the above poskim hold like those who forbid building puzzles [including Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:23]. However, according to those who are lenient regarding building puzzles [Sh”t Or Letzion 2:42:6, Sh”t Beer Moshe 6:26, Rav Pinchas Scheinberg (“Children in Halacha” pg 140), and Menuchat Ahava (vol 3, 22:16) under certain conditions (see there)], the jigsaw puzzle should only be Kli Sh’Melachto LeHeter.] </ref>
## lego (toy) <ref> Sefer Tiltulei [[Shabbat]] (pg 24) in name of Rav Moshe Feinstein writes that since they are designated for children’s use (if the child takes it himself) these are Kli Sh’Melachto LeHeter, and Shalmei Yehuda (pg 90) quotes Rav Elyashiv saying that since primarily the toys are used for building which is forbidden but still it could be given to a child to play with (without putting them together) it’s considered Keli SheMelachato LeIssur. </ref>
## lego (toy) <ref> Sefer Tiltulei [[Shabbat]] (pg 24) in name of Rav Moshe Feinstein writes that since they are designated for children’s use (if the child takes it himself) these are [[Kli Sh’Melachto LeHeter]], and Shalmei Yehuda (pg 90) quotes Rav Elyashiv saying that since primarily the toys are used for building which is forbidden but still it could be given to a child to play with (without putting them together) it’s considered Keli SheMelachato LeIssur. </ref>


==Children Under the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah==
==Children Under the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah==
# Even children as young as 4 or 5 should only play with games or toys which are permissible on [[Shabbat]].<ref> Or Litzion 2:42:5 </ref> Children younger than that though, can use toys that are usually considered muktze.<ref> Tiltulei [[Shabbos]] pg. 22:footnote 2 in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein.  </ref>  
# Even children as young as 4 or 5 should only play with games or toys which are permissible on [[Shabbat]].<ref> Or Letzion 2:42:5 </ref> Children younger than that though, can use toys that are usually considered muktze.<ref> Tiltulei [[Shabbos]] pg. 22:footnote 2 in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein.  </ref>  
# Some poskim permit an adult to move an otherwise [[muktzeh]] toy for a young child, because the child will play with it so it isn't considered [[muktzeh]].<ref> Sh"t Iggerot Moshe 5:22:10, Sh"t Beer Moshe 6:24, Sh"t Yabia Omer 7:39 </ref>  
# Some poskim permit an adult to move an otherwise [[muktzeh]] toy for a young child, because the child will play with it so it isn't considered [[muktzeh]].<ref> Sh"t Iggerot Moshe 5:22:10, Sh"t Beer Moshe 6:24, Sh"t Yabia Omer 7:39 </ref>  
==Noisemakers==
==Noisemakers==
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==Bikes==
==Bikes==
# Children shouldn’t ride a bike on [[Shabbat]], however a tricycle or scooter is permissible only within in an eruv. Preferably, the bell on the scooter should be removed. <Ref> Children in Halacha (pg 138).
{{Bike on Shabbat}}
* Even if there is a proper Eruv, there are Poskim, including the Shu"t Mayim Chaim (R' Yosef Meshash, Siman 128), who claim that it is prohibited to ride a bike, because the chain might break and one might come to fix it on [[Shabbat]]. However, the Ben Ish Chai (Rav Pe'alim, vol. 1, Orach Chaim, Siman 25 and Hashmatot) quotes the Rosh ([[Shabbat]] 2:15) that after Chatimat HaTalmud, we don't institute Gezerot of our own intuition, even if there's a tremendous Chashash. Tosafot in Chullin 104a also says something similar. In fact, the Ben ish chai permits riding a bike in an eruv but some claim that the Ben Ish Chai eventually changed his mind concerning riding a bicycle on Shabbos (see Sh”t Yaskil Avdi OC 3:12:5:4).
* The Shu"T Mayim Chayim claims further that riding a bike is some form of Melacha, as it takes skill to do it, but he never explains what exact Melacha.
* Rav Azriel Hildesheimer (in his Shu"t, vol. 1, Orach Chaim, Siman 49) prohibits bike riding since it's a Pesik Reisheh of making a furrow, but Rav Ovadia (Chazon Ovadia [[Shabbat]] vol. 4 page 40) says that since it's already Kilachar Yad, and in the Reshut HaRabbim, it's a Pesik Reisheh MiDeRabbanan DeLa Nicha Leh, and Muttar LeKulei Alma. Additionally, since the wheels are covered with rubber tires, it's like a baby carriage which is Kovesh, not [[Choresh]], and Muttar.
* Finally, Rav Ovadia concludes it's simply Assur because of Uvdin DeChol even if it's for a Mitzvah, because people use it to get to their destination quickly, and Chazal expounded on the Pasuk in Yeshayahu that one's walking on [[Shabbat]] should be different from his walking during the week. For Ketanim who have reached [[Chinuch]], it's advisable to prohibit it, but tricycles are permissible, since they're made for kids specifically, as long as one removes the bell before [[Shabbat]]. There is no difference between [[Shabbat]] and [[Yom Tov]]. This is also the ruling of the Shemirat Shabbat KeHilcheta (Perek 16, Seif 17, page 185), the Mishneh Halachot (vol. 7, Siman 71), Tzitz Eliezer 7:30:1, Kaf HaChaim (404:8), and Ohr LeTzion (vol. 2,  Perek 42, Seif 1), who also prohibit bike riding for similar reasons. see also [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/m/halacha.aspx?id=2337 Rabbi Eli Mansour] </ref>


==Swings==
==Swings==
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# Using dice on [[Shabbat]] is permitted. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:33 </ref>
# Using dice on [[Shabbat]] is permitted. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:33 </ref>
===Monopoly===
===Monopoly===
# It is permitted to play monopoly on [[Shabbat]], while others say that one should refrain. <Ref> Children in Halacha (pg 139) and Sh”t Or Letzion 2:45:5 in the note are lenient, while Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:32 says that it’s preferable to refrain. </ref>
# It is permitted to play monopoly on [[Shabbat]], while others say that one should refrain. <Ref> Children in Halacha (pg 139) and Sh”t Or Letzion 2:42:5 in the note are lenient, while Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:32 says that it’s preferable to refrain. </ref>


===Scrabble===
===Scrabble===
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# Some hold that it is permissible to play as long as you do not use the scrabble board that has individual squares for each tile (which creates an additional problem of kosev.)
# Some hold that it is permissible to play as long as you do not use the scrabble board that has individual squares for each tile (which creates an additional problem of kosev.)


==Card games==
==Card Games==
# It’s permissible to play card games; however, when one is finished, one may not separate the cards in order to put them away as this may constitute [[Borer]].<Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:34  
# It’s permissible to play card games; however, when one is finished, one may not separate the cards in order to put them away as this may constitute [[Borer]].<Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:34  
* The question is one of [[Borer]], which is only permitted in a situation where one is removing desired pieces from the undesirable pieces, by hand (i.e. without a utensil designated for separating), and for immediate use. When playing Rummy, one takes cards from his hand in order to make a set, which is clearly permissible, as it fulfills all three conditions. However, when dropping cards, it seems to be removing the undesired pieces from the desired elements. Rav Asher Weiss (Minchat Asher on Masechet [[Shabbat]], pp. 327) proves that not only are two cards of different number/suit considered one kind and that dropping them from one's hand provides immediate satisfaction in that one's hand is lighter and he's closer to winning, but also that there isn't even any Melacha involved, since Melachot by definition lead up to a greater purpose, which is not true when dropping cards.</ref>
* The question is one of [[Borer]], which is only permitted in a situation where one is removing desired pieces from the undesirable pieces, by hand (i.e. without a utensil designated for separating), and for immediate use. When playing Rummy, one takes cards from his hand in order to make a set, which is clearly permissible, as it fulfills all three conditions. However, when dropping cards, it seems to be removing the undesired pieces from the desired elements. Rav Asher Weiss (Minchat Asher on Masechet [[Shabbat]], p. 327) proves that not only are two cards of different number/suit considered one kind and that dropping them from one's hand provides immediate satisfaction in that one's hand is lighter and he's closer to winning, but also that there isn't even any Melacha involved, since Melachot by definition lead up to a greater purpose, which is not true when dropping cards.</ref>


==Puzzles==
==Puzzles==
# Some poskim permit building puzzles on [[Shabbat]], while others forbid. (See the page on [[Kotaiv]].) To avoid the issue of [[Borer]] ([[separating]]) one must be careful not to separate pieces that one doesn’t want from those that one wants. <Ref> Sh”t Or Letzion 2:45:6 writes that it’s not considered writing since it’s only for the purposes of a game (and it’s temporary). So too there’s no issue of [[Borer]] since one takes the pieces one wants and uses them immediately. This is also the opinion of Sh”t Beer Moshe 6:26, and Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg quoted in Children in Halacha (pg 140), and Rav Moshe HaLevi in Menuchat Ahava (vol 3, 22:16). However, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:23 forbids if the pieces fit tight together (interlock). Similarly, Shalmei Yehuda (pg 90) quoting Rav Elyashiv and Sefer Tiltulei [[Shabbat]] (pg 25; Rabbi Yisrael Bodner) write that it’s forbidden. </ref>
# Some poskim permit building puzzles on [[Shabbat]], while others forbid. (See the page on [[Kotaiv]].) To avoid the issue of [[Borer]] ([[separating]]) one must be careful not to separate pieces that one doesn’t want from those that one wants. <Ref> Sh”t Or Letzion 2:42:6 writes that it’s not considered writing since it’s only for the purposes of a game (and it’s temporary). So too there’s no issue of [[Borer]] since one takes the pieces one wants and uses them immediately. This is also the opinion of Sh”t Beer Moshe 6:26, and Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg quoted in Children in Halacha (pg 140), and Rav Moshe HaLevi in Menuchat Ahava (vol 3, 22:16). However, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:23 forbids if the pieces fit tight together (interlock). Similarly, Shalmei Yehuda (pg 90) quoting Rav Elyashiv and Sefer Tiltulei [[Shabbat]] (pg 25; Rabbi Yisrael Bodner) write that it’s forbidden. </ref>
==Rubik's Cube==
# There is a major discussion if playing with a Rubik's Cube on Shabbat is permitted. Many hold it is permitted, but some disagree based on a number of reasons. Some of the reasons include: [[kotev]], [[mochaik]], [[boneh]], and [[borer]].<reF>Rav Elyashiv (Shvut Yitzchak v. 14 p. 299) forbade playing with a Rubik's Cube on Shabbat since it is similar to drawing an image on Shabbat and arranging the pieces in a formation is considered drawing. He compares it to opening and closing a sefer with words printed on the sides of the pages. Dor Hamelaktim v. 4 p. 2603 quotes Rav Shlomo Miller who forbade Rubik's cubes because of borer since each choice of a color to move is part of a longer algorithm and doesn't create a desired result immediately. Though they quote there the Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 16:25 and many others who are lenient.</reF>


==Sources==
==Sources==
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