Games on Shabbat

Should we play board games on Shabbat? If so, are there rules and restrictions as to what we can play?

As a liberal community who often drive to Shabbat services, work on Shabbat and go out and enjoy lunch with friends where money changes hands on Shabbat are we picking and choosing which rules we wish to follow? I wanted to dig a little deeper into the idea of whether playing games on Shabbat was inappropriate and found some very interesting views from within the broader Jewish community, and from the rabbinic community.

In an article by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir, the initial point presented is that of whether it is right to run on Shabbat or not, as this is means to work harder than one would do in walking. However, he goes on to discuss that this restriction should be ignored if the running is in pursuit of a mitzvah. Rabbi Dr. Meir explains that even running can be seen as a mitzvah on Shabbat for children who experience joy in the activity as long as it is not undertaken as part of a competition. This then opens up the discussion of what restrictions of Shabbat can be ignored, what is considered a valid enough activity that it constitutes a mitzvah? And, how can playing board games possibly be considered a mitzvah?

In another article the argument for playing games on Shabbat is built on the idea from Isaiah 58:13, “And call the Sabbath a delight.” This idea suggests that playing games that bring joy are permitted on Shabbat. However, according to Sanhedrin, 3:3, it is quite clear that those who play dice games or are pigeon racers are not suitable to be witnesses and therefore this type of activity is not to be conducted on Shabbat. The key reasoning being that these people are gamblers and not to be trusted. This allows us to narrow the discussions of the appropriateness of playing games on Shabbat to; should games that do not replicate the act of gambling be permitted?

Within the Jewish community many of are not local to their Synagogues and some do not get to see fellow members outside of this time. Therefore should we not use this time to come together outside of services? And if sharing a meal and playing games is a good way to strengthen our relationships is this not a mitzvah in itself?

According to Pirkei Avot 2:4 “Hillel said: do not separate yourself from the community, Do not trust in yourself until the day of your death, Do not judge your fellow man until you have reached his place.” This verse discusses the importance of building a strong community, but it is the specific interpretation of the phrase “do not separate yourself from the community”, that Dr. Joshua Kulp explains on our own we are weak, and tempted to be selfish in our prayers. However, as a community we are focussed on the need of others and therefore we work to the benefit of everyone. He further goes on to explain that we should not be quick to judge others as we do not experience life as others do, we do not know how we would act in their position. For some, engaging in social clubs after a Saturday service is not considered a righteous way to spend Shabbat. However, for others, spending time participating in social clubs after services on Shabbat is the only time they get to be with their community, to catch up with friends, to get out of the house; therefore for some members it is the most important thing to do, as we are commanded to build and sustain a strong community.

In today's world where we, as a Jewish people, are discriminated against, protested about and still considered “other” we should, no must, do everything we can to ensure our community is active, present and inclusive. We must mark these moments in time that we get to share with our community in the most sacred way we can, and what better way than to extend our observance of Shabbat to include the company of friends engaging in activities that bring us joy?

“On Shabbat we celebrate the things that are important but not urgent: the love between husband and wife, and between parents and children. The bonds of belonging. The story of which we are a part. The community that we support and that supports us in times of joy or grief. These are the ingredients of happiness.”

Letters to the Next Generation: Reflections for Yom Kippur