For his birthday, Moishy got a Zikaron game. It is a game where players uncover cells on a board and find matches. A player’s turn starts when a sand clock is turned upside down, and the sand begins pouring from the full compartment into the empty one.
“Akiva, let’s play my Zikaron game now,” said Moishy.
“How can we?! We need to use a sand clock in that game!” replied Akiva.
“What’s the problem?” asked Moishy.
“I don’t think we can use a sand clock on Shabbos!” said Akiva.
“It’s just sand going from one cup to the other. No batteries,” said Moishy.
Question: Who is right—Moishy or Akiva?
Hints & Answers
HALACHA CHALLENGE: Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchosa (28:35) teaches that one may not use or move a sand clock on Shabbos, unless it is used for a need of someone who is ill.
TRIVIA: 1. Eating on erev Yom Kippur (l’shem mitzva) is considered by Hashem as fasting! Hence one is fasting on the 9th and 10th of Tishrei (see Mishna Berura 604:1) 2. In both! [Source: Kaf HaChaim 608:30] 3. R. Akiva is saying that Am Yisroel are fortunate because HaKadosh Boruch Hu Himself purifies them on Yom Kippur!
*Menucha answers are not to be taken as final decisions in halacha.
