Borer - Game Pieces

QUESTION: Can I separate game pieces (e.g., chess or checkers pieces) by color so that each player can set up his side of the board?

ANSWER: Yes, this is permitted, provided that you are intending to play the game right away. Setting up the board is permitted based on the three rules of Borer (sorting):

The sorting is for immediate use.

You may not use a specialized instrument for sorting.

You must separate the good from the bad. (In this case there is no good and bad, since you need all the pieces).

However, you may not sort the pieces after the game is over to put them away if the pieces are mixed together. Since this is not for an immediate need, this would violate the first rule of Borer listed above. Instead, you should gather the pieces into a pile. After Shabbos, you can sort out the pieces (Shemiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa 16:34). In the next Halacha Yomis, another option will be presented.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.