Reply To: Games not for Shabbos

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Halachipedia:

[45] Others are strict. [46]

Footnote 45:

## The Or Letzion’s reasoning is that if one intends to take them apart in a short period of time, then it is considered like something that is usually put together and taken apart and doesn’t constitute Boneh. Additionally, they are put together for fun and not in order to build.

Footnote 46:

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Dose of Halacha:

Question: Can I play with Lego on Shabbos?

Yet, many poskim including the Tzitz Eliezer (13:30-31) permit it. Seemingly, other poskim are primarily concerned for the prohibition of boneh. Both the Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa (16:18) and R’ Belsky write that while construction sets that need screwing together are included in the prohibition of boneh, one is allowed to play with lego on Shabbos.

While R’ Ovadia Yosef allows it (Yechave Daas 2:55 and Yabia Omer OC 7:39), he suggests that because of the above concerns, adults should ideally refrain from Lego building, though children may do so.

In conclusion, it is best not to build complete models or buildings on Shabbos, though it is okay to assist children with their Lego building.

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Shema Yisrael:

Are children, or anyone for that matter, permitted to build Lego on Shabbos?

Lego blocks are not similar to building blocks in the sense that they are not intended to fuse together, nor are they intended to remain attached to each other. The idea behind Lego is that the blocks can be assembled and dismantled at whim, even though not always with ease. One also does not want the Lego blocks to adhere to each other, because that will forfeit the whole idea behind them.

Accordingly it is permitted to build Lego on Shabbos, even if one does not have in mind to dismantle the Lego on Shabbos, because it is not deemed as Building even for a short while.

Therefore children need not be barred from playing Lego on Shabbos. As for adults, it is more a matter of priorities and realizing the importance and meaning of Shabbos. Shabbos is a time for spiritual perfection and coming closer to Hashem, and playing with Lego etc can hardly be called doing that.

As mentioned, the Poskim debate building Lego extensively and one should consult his rav as to whether one is permitted to play with Lego on Shabbos.

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Mi Yodeya:

Is Lego Muktzeh? and can Adults use it too?

You seem to be asking two questions here:

(Perhaps I’m reading into your question because of the availability of my answer, but either way it will address your question.)

??? ???? ????? ????? ??? ???? ???? ???????? ???????? ??????, ???? ??? ???? ?????

(From 13:30.6)

??? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? – ??? ??????? ?????? ???. ??? ????? ?? ???? ????? ???. ????? ???? ??? ????. ????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?????????.?

He backs up this pesaq din in 13:31, the following siman.