Print this Article
Is playing Rubik’s cube and other such games on Shabbat an issue of Borer?
By Rav Mordechai Lebhar[1]
Introduction to the Laws of Borer
The foundation of the 39 Melachot, acts of work, which are prohibited for one to do on Shabbat is creativity. The Torah forbade creative labor on the Shabbat. The Be’ur Halacha[2] explains that the prohibition of selecting – Borer – on Shabbat, is no exception. In the days of the Mishkan, pebbles and rocks were separated from the kernels of grain. Since the kernels were not edible without the removal of the pebbles, separating them would constitute the creative act of rendering them edible.
The Poskim count three conditions for one’s selection not to be included in the prohibition of Borer:
[1] M’yad – one can only select for immediate usage, [2] B’yad – one can only use his hand to select and not a special utensil designated for this type of work, such as a sifter etc. [3] Ochel MiToch Pesolet – one must remove the edible from the non-edible, i.e. removing the fish from the bones, and not vice versa. The logic behind these criteria is that when the selecting is done in such a way it is viewed as an act of consuming and not selecting.
Selecting Clothes
Rashi in Masechet Shabbat[3] writes that selecting bad sticks from good sticks for the purpose of building a beehive is considered Borer. The Taz proves from this Rashi that Borer is applicable not only to food, but to utensils and clothing as well, as in selecting clothing that one dislikes and is not intending to wear, from clothing that one enjoys to wear. The Mishna Berura[4] follows Rashi and the Taz L’Halacha.
Nevertheless, the Matte Yehuda (Ribbi Yehuda Ayash זצ”ל) writes[5] that there is no proof from Rashi’s example that Borer applies to clothing and utensils. Rashi understands that separating bad sticks from good sticks is considered Borer because these objects are similar in nature, and thus are considered to be a “mixture” – in which case the prohibition of Borer would apply. However, utensils or articles of clothing each have their own function and style, and thus, they are not subject to the prohibition of Borer, as they are never considered to be a mixture. Even the Matte Yehuda would agree that it would apply to non-food items that are of a similar nature[6].
The Cube
Rubik’s Cube is a cube which contains several colored tiles mixed together. The goal of the game is to separate the colors from each other so that at the end of the game each side of the cube will contain a solid side of just one color. Is the separation of one colored tile from the other regarded as Borer?
As we have shown, most Poskim regard the selection from a mixture of non-food items as a problem of Borer. It would seem that even the Matte Yehuda should regard these colored tiles to be similar enough to be considered a mixture. However, we must inquire whether items with different colors are considered to be mixed or not.
Big Fish, Small Fish
The Terumat HaDeshen[7] discusses whether the prohibition of Borer applies to a mixture of large and small pieces of fish on a plate. He asserts that although the fish are clearly distinguishable from one another on the basis of their size, it is difficult to be lenient and permit one to select in such a case. The Rama rules like the Terumat HaDeshen[8].
Accordingly, it would seem that with regards to the Rubik’s Cube, although the small colored tiles on the cube are not actually mixed with each other and are clearly recognizable by their color, nevertheless, we need to be stringent and consider it to be Borer.
One and The Same
In fact, the different coloring may cause more problems than it would solve. The Poskim write that Borer does not apply to items of the same type (“Min”). Therefore, according to many Poskim, one may select one type of chicken from another. Similarly, separating a very tart green apple from a less tart one is not Borer. They are all the same min. Concerning Rubik’s Cube, however, it would seem that since the different colors are the essence of the game, it would classify them as different types of objects in a mixture, and thus Borer would apply.
However, there may be a possible leniency for playing Rubik’s Cube on Shabbat as the cube is a single object. The Poskim consider a selection within one item as a division of a unit and not an act of Borer. Should the Rubik’s Cube be considered one object? Or is it more similar to keys on a key chain, whoch the Poskim consider to be subject to Borer? Keys on a keychain are not viewed as a single item because they are only being held together for the sake of organization. We would have to decide whether the tiles on the cube are considered one item or a collection of separate tiles.
This possible leniency would not apply to other selection games, such as Pick Up Sticks and the like[9].
In Conclusion
As we have shown, there are a few reasons to assume that Borer would apply to the Rubik’s Cube, and thus, since it may infringe on a Torah prohibition, adults should refrain from playing with it. This too was the ruling of HaRav Shlomo Miller שליט”א.[10] As for children, while there is room to be lenient if necessary, it would obviously be proper Hinuch to avoid it.
Sources:
[1] Based on a newly published pamphlet on this subject: “Dibrot Menachem” by Rav Menachem Fuchs Shlit”a
[2] 319
[3] 74b
[4] 319:15
[5] 319:4
[6] C.f. Yabia Omer (5:31) for a lengthy discussion about Borer with regards to mixtures of non-food items. The conclusion of many Poskim is to be strict and avoid Borer in such cases.
[7] 57
[8] 319:3
[9] Indeed, HaRav Elyashiv זצ”ל was asked about playing Pick Up Sticks (“dukim” in Hebrew) on Shabbat, and he responded that it would fall under the category of Borer.
[10] HaRav Miller reasoned, that although Borer does not apply when choosing the desirable part (“Ochel”) from the non-desirable (“P’solet”), this is only when it is used immediately and not when it is only a part of a large sequence of algorithms that create an eventual desirable “Ochel”.