ARR 531-532

CCAR RESPONSA

American Reform Responsa

168. Card Playing in the Social Hall of the Temple

(Vol. LXV, 1955, pp. 91-92)QUESTION: Some members of my congregation feel that there is nothing improper in playing a sociable game of cards, such as bridge or canasta, in the social hall of the Temple. Does the traditional law uphold their view?ANSWER: The ancient rabbis, although they frowned upon any kind of unearned gain, were rather chary in the use of violent epithets. They branded a man as a gambler and barred his testimony from a court of law, if he derived his livelihood from a game of chance such as dice (Sanhedrin 24b). All other forms of play, insofar as they crowded out more serious employments, the Rabbis did little to encourage, but resorted to no ill-tempered language to condemn them. In our time, there are rabbis who are inclined to dub a man gambler if he plays a game of cards. Yet, should the laity prevail over the clergy in this matter, would the impact of the triumph be felt in our moral life. Not at all! Some congregations, it should be noted, encourage their members to play games at social gatherings, and impose no restrictions on those who choose to play cards. We have yet to hear that the officers of any such congregation have found it necessary to curtail the privilege because of abuse.Israel Bettan

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