Is it proper to play board games on Shabbos?
There are numerous matters involved here. First are the possible violations of certain hilchos Shabbos, which we shall note further. Second is a matter of oneg Shabbos (lit. “Delight on the Sabbath”) as the verse (Isaiah 58:13) states: “V’karasa la’Shabbos oneg” – and call the Sabbath a delight.
My uncle Rav Sholom Klass, zt”l, (in Responsa of Modern Judaism, Vol I: p.61) – whose discussion regarding playing chess on Shabbos touches upon board games in general as well – cites some against playing such games even on a weekday, such as Rambam (commentary to Mishna, Sanhedrin, 3:3), whose view is that one is only to occupy his time in the pursuit of Torah study, but is not to engage in activities that do not accomplish anything in this world.
He also cites the Rama (Rabbi Meir Abulafia) who differed and, without giving any reason, allowed one to play chess whether on weekdays or on Shabbos. He cites as well Rabbi Gabriel Puntrimoli (in his sefer Pachad Yitzchak) who classifies chess as oneg Shabbos and therefore permits playing it.
Shiltei HaGibborim (to Rabbenu Alfas, end of Tractate Eruvin) permits and gives the reason that probably prompted all those others who permit. Chess is basically a game that sharpens one’s mental acuity and as such it does indeed accomplish something meaningful.
The Gaon Rabbi Moshe Stern, Debrecener Rav, zt”l, addressed playing board games on Shabbos in no less than three responsa (Responsa Ba’er Moshe Vol. 6: 26; 72; 107) he discusses games such as Scrabble, where there could be issues relating to kesiva – the labor of writing. He rules that since there is no permanence to these words, as they are easily separated and taken apart, there is no violation in that regard. He does caution when there are interlocking letters, even though they can be separated easily, that it is best not to allow children to play with such a game on Shabbos. He goes even further and allows playing with puzzles because similarly the pieces can easily be separated and therefore there is no violation of boneh – constructing. (Note some people glue their puzzle together – especially if it’s a nice picture – and frame it. If so, that would seem to be a violation of boneh – although even there one might argue that there would be the need for clear intention to do so.)
It would seem from the above that only those games that could lead to a Shabbos violation would be absolutely forbidden. If a game does not involve any type of violation but gives pleasure as well as adding to one’s skill and mental acuity, after one has set aside valuable time for his Torah studies, such should be permitted.
It’s also nice and constructive when families engage in activities that strengthen both parental and sibling bonds as they play together. Just remember: Never overdo it; everything within reason.
– Rabbi Yaakov Klass is Rav of K’hal Bnei Matisyahu in Flatbush; Torah Editor of The Jewish Press; and Presidium Chairman, Rabbinical Alliance of America.
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The halachic answer is simple, even as the hashkafic answer is a bit more complex. One must always bear in mind that the purpose of Shabbat is to provide us with a day that is set aside for tefillah and talmud Torah, time with family and friends, and a complete break from the mundane activities of the weekdays. It is not a day to be frittered away in pursuits whose primary purpose is to kill time, even if they do provide a moment of pleasure.
That being said, the answer in the first instance must take into account age, background, temperament and spiritual potential. Children will certainly have fewer limitations because they are not yet of age to appreciate the sublimity of Shabbat. Thus, it is horrendous if children, teenagers for sure, find Shabbat boring or stifling because, lacking a mature spiritual sensibility, they cannot find any permissible outlet for their energies. Similarly, there might be adults as well who struggle to observe the laws of Shabbat but persevere. They, too, need an appropriate venue to provide Shabbat enjoyment.
Under those circumstances, games provide a healthy vehicle if they do not involve a violation of halacha. Chess (or checkers) are permitted by many poskim (beginning with Rema in Orach Chaim 338:5), as is Scrabble if the letters remain loose and are not affixed to the board. Monopoly and other games that involve play money or keeping score are frowned upon, although some clever people keep score by using pages in books. More specifics need to be discussed with your local rav.
It is worth reiterating that playing these games should be a temporary pause from the more spiritual pursuits of the day – and not the focus of Shabbat itself. That focus is properly divine service and the perfection of our souls.
– Rabbi Steven Pruzansky is Israel Region Vice-President for the Coalition for Jewish Values and author of Repentance for Life now available from Kodesh Press.
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Shabbos is the day we focus on recognizing that Hashem created the world (zecher l’maaseh Bereishis) and that he manages even the smallest detail of the goings on around us (zecher l’yitzias Mitzrayim). We make an effort to disengage from the mundane in our lives and try to focus on the spiritual. Those who don’t have so much time to devote to the study of Torah during the days of the week have the chance to do so on Shabbos. We spend time delighting in Shabbos (oneg Shabbos) by eating fine foods and delicacies as a way of marking the day as holy and different from the days of melacha. We spare no effort and expenses to enhance the day, as we are celebrating our special role at the table of our King.
Considering the above, involving ourselves in regular pastimes is not the best way to utilize the special day. As much as possible, we try to turn toward the holy and elevated activities. At the same time many fine Jews find themselves with much free time on Shabbos and derive oneg Shabbos from such games. Certainly, board games and the like are preferred to being idle and risking falling into lashon hora or other negative middos.
– Rabbi Yehoshua Heber is Rav of Khal Tomchai Torah at Yeshiva Torah Vodaath and Dayan at Bdatz Mishptai Yisrael.