#224: Outdoor Sports and Games (Part 1)

1. It is forbidden to play ball outside on a dirt surface due to the concern that one may come to smooth out the dirt. This includes games like soccer and kickball, as well as activities involving rolling smaller items, such as marbles or nuts (Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 338:5 and Mishnah Berurah 338:19). Some authorities extend this concern even to games where the ball is thrown (Ketzot Hashulchan 124), like baseball or football, while others are lenient in such cases (see https://outorah.org/p/83696/).

2. Some poskim forbid playing ball even on a paved or tiled surface, such as a court, whether indoors or outdoors. This is similar to the halacha discussed earlier concerning washing the floor indoors (Mishnah Berurah 338:20). However, the more commonly accepted ruling among contemporary poskim is that the prohibition is limited to outdoor play, especially on dirt, and not to playing indoors on tiled floors (see Bi’ur Halachah 337:2; Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah 16:5). Some also permit playing on paved outdoor surfaces (Aruch Hashulchan, O.C. 338:12), though many recommend avoiding it (Peninei Halacha, Shabbat 24:8; Ashrei Ha’ish, Shabbat 17; and https://outorah.org/p/83696/). [Whether playing ball is appropriate on Shabbat from the perspective of the proper spirit and atmosphere will be discussed separately in a future post.]

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.