Rabbi Avraham Yosef Criticizes Playing Chess on Shabbat as Wasteful

Rabbi Avraham Yosef, eldest son of the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, addressed the permissibility and appropriateness of various games played on Shabbat, including chess, checkers, dominoes, and cards. Speaking on Kol Chai radio, he distinguished between secular games and activities with a Torah learning element. He praised card games that incorporate questions on Jewish law, the weekly Torah portion, and the Bible, emphasizing that such games are not mere entertainment but Torah study. He also supported family competitions where the father quizzes participants and offers prizes to winners.

Conversely, Rabbi Yosef sharply criticized those who spend extended hours playing chess on Shabbat, calling it a waste of life and time. He warned against losing the sanctity of Shabbat to idle games and urged people to use the day for meaningful and beneficial pursuits. His remarks highlight a call to preserve the spiritual quality of Shabbat by avoiding frivolous activities.