By: Rabbi Ari Enkin
Closely related to the custom of playing dreidel on Chanuka is that of playing cards. Playing cards on Chanuka likely become popular due to an ancient and lesser-known rabbinic decree that only permitted one to play cards on days on which tachanun is not recited. Since Chanuka offered an extended break from tachanun many individuals took the opportunity to spend much of their free time on Chanuka playing cards.[1] It is also suggested that playing cards on Chanuka was popularized in an effort to ensure that the children would keep themselves occupied so that they remain awake until the family gathered to light the menora which often took place well into the night.[2] In some communities playing with cards was an activity that was strictly restricted to Chanuka and Purim.[3]
Many authorities in the past opposed card games without exception and tried to eliminate the practice entirely.[4] According to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, the playing-cards are imbued with a spirit of impurity which must be vigorously avoided. It is also noted that the gematria of “cards” is “Satan”.[5] Even a number of contemporary authorities maintain that the custom of playing cards on Chanuka should be abandoned as it is can lead to gambling, theft, and other possible prohibitions.[6]
Another reason for the opposition to playing cards on Chanuka was because the card games were often played by the light of the Chanuka candles. This is in violation of the well-known halacha that one is forbidden to engage in any activity by the light of the Chanuka candles or to benefit from them in any way. As we recite at the candle lighting ceremony: “…During all eight days of Chanukah the candles we have kindled are holy and we are not permitted to make any use of them except to gaze upon them in order to praise Your great Name for Your miracles, Your wonders and Your salvations.”
Nevertheless, although at one time card games may have been excessive and possibly impacted negatively on people’s personal and professional lives, this is no longer the case today. As such, one who feels the need to play cards on an occasional basis, rather than engage in other unproductive pursuits, is permitted to do so.[7] However, one who is able to engage in Torah study and other praiseworthy activities should certainly do so instead. [8]
[1] Mahari Bruna 136.
[2] Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 670:6.
[3] Noheg K’tzon Yosef p.188.
[4] Chavot Yair 126.
[5] Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 670:7.
[6] Aruch Hashulchan, OC 670:9.
[7] Salmat Chaim 2:48,49. See also Rema, OC 547:12; Darkei Moshe, OC 639.
[8] Lehorot Natan 4:46; Igrot Sofrim, Chatam Sofer 3.
My great-grandfather had a rashei teivot against playing cards on Chanuka (please excuse my bad spelling):
ולא זכר שר המשקים את יוסף וישכחה”ו
וועלכער ייד שפילט קארטין חנוכה הייסט ווערטיג
“Nevertheless, although at one time card games may have been excessive and possibly impacted negatively on people’s personal and professional lives, this is no longer the case today”
This statement, is not true. Just like Alchoholism, Gambling addiction is alive and well.
ditto to avi
To JXG: The yiddish word “vertik” means valuable. That would prove just the opposite of what you are trying to say, unless they used the word b’lashon sagi nahor, to mean the exact opposite.
I heard that it is “voitek”. I just don’t know what it means. Maybe”a good for nothing”.
“Just like Alchoholism, Gambling addiction is alive and well.”
And just as with alchohol which most people think is okay in moderation, the same would be true, I would think, with playing cards.
“Nevertheless, although at one time card games may have been excessive and possibly impacted negatively on people’s personal and professional lives, this is no longer the case today. ”
Like everyone else said, this is a reeeeally strange statement. However, it is possible to understand it in a reasonable way. Assuming this is the case, then perhaps in the past playing cards was such a low culture pastime that it was almost synonymous with gambling. In the age of Old Maid and Go Fish, the edge of card games has been blunted. But of course this depends on whether or not this is true. If not, then the statement as it stands is unbelievable.
If anyone wants to read about how cards and card playing was perceived in Galicia in the late 19th century, have a look at Joseph Margoshes’ memoir (search for card and cards)
http://books.google.com/books?id=P9DUWyL8NTUC&dq=margoshes&source=gbs_navlinks_s
Margoshes was a Yiddish writer who settled in New York. His father had been a founder of Machzikei Hadas.
Since Chanuka offered an extended break from tachanun many individuals took the opportunity to spend much of their free time on Chanuka playing cards.[1]
How many hours a day did it take them to recite their tachanun?
It is also noted that the gematria of “cards” is “Satan”.[5]
That reminds me, the gematria of “internet” (IIRC in the haser spelling) is “cancer”…
Are you going to write about the various customs for Nittlenacht?
Jay,
In the version I heard it was also Voytek – meaning Wojciech, a typical non-jewish Polish name. In English it would be something like “he’s such a Johnny”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wojciech
[...] Chanuka & Card Games by Rabbi Ari Enkin, Torahmusings.com (Hirhurim) [...]
RE: NITTEL NACHT -
See here: http://torahmusings.com/2007/12/nittel-nacht-christmas-eve/
Ari Enkin
” …to ensure that the children would keep themselves occupied so that they remain awake until the family gathered to light the menora which often took place well into the night”
I had thought that in pre-electricity times, the lighting generally occured right around dusk.
Thanks shimon. Case closed. Happy Chanukah
Hesh-
Interesting kashe, but keep in mind, the chanuka menora is not supposed to have to do anything with providing light, just as is the case today. (cf. “haneirot halalu…”)
Ari Enkin
I had a rebbi who remarked that perhaps if you donate a eighteen hundred dollars to kupat ha’ir they will have R. Eliyashiv and R. Chaim Kanievski play cards for you at the kotel on nittel-nacht.
Regarding cards in general, I’m sure many here know the story that playing cards come from tarot cards, and so there might have been other issurim with them, which today, no longer apply?
Hesh,
I had thought that in pre-electricity times, the lighting generally occured right around dusk.
That is not accurate. In the places where they lit inside for whatever reason (danger, rain, wind etc.) they were not particularly punctilious about lighting at sunset.* Meiri (Shabbat 21b) writes:
יראה לגדולי הדורות שלפננו שלא נאמר אלא לאותם הזמנים שהיו מדליקים מבחוץ וצריך היכר לעוברי דרכים. אבל בזמן הזה, הואיל ואין אנו צריכים אלא להיכר בני הבית, ידליק מתי שירצה. וגדולי הצרפתים התירוהו אפילו עד שיעלה עמוד השחר, וכן נוהגים שם בני ישיבה להדליק אחר שעומדים מבית המדרש
Also see http://beismedrash.blogspot.com/2011/12/inyanei-chanuka-lighting-times-beit.html
*That is not to imply that there actually were places where they kept the original minhag of lighting at the doorway of the reshut harabim. Maybe someone else can shed light on that.