Games to Play on Shabbat
Orthodox Jews strictly follow "halacha," or Jewish law with regard to Shabbat observance. The Biblical commandment to "remember the Sabbath and keep it holy" includes, for observant Jews, 39 prohibited actions called "malachot." Some examples include lighting a fire (includes using electricity or driving a car), writing and building. The Sabbath is family time and families can enjoy playing games together on Shabbat. However, the games may not include any of the 39 prohibited activities.
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"Scrabble"
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Some rabbinical authorities see the word-building in "Scrabble" as involving "building," one of the 39 "malachot" (prohibitions of creative activity) of Shabbat. Other halachic authorities believe that, if played on a flat board, Scrabble poses no issues of Shabbat desecration. You can play Scrabble if you find a way to keep score that doesn't involve writing, a prohibited activity. Some people keep score by placing a bookmark in books, moving the bookmark to the page that reflects his score. Each player records their score with his own book and bookmark.
Chess and Checkers
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Playing chess or checkers poses no halachic difficulties on Shabbat. To keep a special Shabbat atmosphere, some people maintain a special Shabbat chess set that they use only on Shabbat. Rabbis remind players that the prohibition against "borer," or separating items, makes it imperative that players collect all the pieces in one group after they finish a game.
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Cards
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Traditional card games make a relaxing Shabbat activity as long as they don't incude writing. "Old Maid," "Uno," "Crazy Eights," "Hearts" and "Spades" provide a Shabbat-observant family with games that conform to all the halachot of Shabbat. You can even play "Black Jack" or "Poker" as long as you "bet" almonds, raisins or an object other than money. Handling money is one of the 39 malachot of Shabbat.
Special Games for Shabbat
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Jewish publishers and toy manufacturers have produced many games specifically for the Shabbat-observant community. The games include Jewish trivia games, matching games and other card games that teach Jewish concepts, ideas and data. Feldheim and Eichlers offer "The 39 Avoth Melacha of Shabbath Card Game" for children.
Sports Games
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An observant Jewish person may only play a sports game that involves a ball within an enclosure. According to halacha, carrying includes carrying any object outside of a home or other enclosure (such as a backyard). Some communities have an "eruv," or a string, that encloses the community when it is placed around telephone poles. This allows residents to carry objects through the street, but not every Sabbath observer accepts this solution. People who want to play a sports game within a backyard or in a basement may do so within the Shabbat guidelines.
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