Ask the Rabbi
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Actions and Appliances on Shabbat
- Games and Athletics
Question
A particular game of rummy-tile that I own has individual player boards that require you to place the legs on the bottom of the board in order that the board will stand erect to hold the tiles. The boards are not meant to be put together permanently and must be "disassembled" to fit in the box. Is this permitted on Shabbat?
Answer
According to the Shulchan Aruch (313:6) it is forbidden even though it isn't meant to last for a long time, because the legs fit exactly into place. Achronim wrote that it is best to follow the last opinion brought there - not to permit it unless it is a vital need for Shabbat. Hence the solution would be to put it together, but not take it apart until Shabbat is over, this also seems to be the opinion of the Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata.
Rabbi Ro'i Margalit

Kinetic sand on Passover
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 11, 5783

Bicycle to shul or elso where
Rabbi David Sperling | Sivan 30, 5772

Bicycle on Shabbat
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 2 Elul 5765




