Mitzvah or Shandah: The hilarious Jewish conversation game
What's in the game
This came includes 160 cards — 120 situation cards, 20 blank "write your own" situaton cards, 20 mitzvah tokens (green) and 20 shandah tokens (blue).
It's for players 10 and up.
I suggest with 3-12 people, with the sweet spot being 4-8.
Play for 25 minutes to as long as you want!
Step 1: Set up the Game
Put the stack of “situation cards” and the tokens in the middle of the group. You can fill out the “write your own” cards whenever ideas come to you and include them in the deck. When they're blank, put them to the side. Give each player one double-sided “mitzvah or shandah” card.
Pick a way to play
There are two options now. Option 1: These rules are similar to Cards Against Humanity or Apples to Apples, with a twist! This is an orderly way to play and is best for people that don't know each other well.
Option 2: These rules are a little more chaotic. These work better for people who know each other well and can laugh at themselves.
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Discuss
For both options - If the situation card instructs the judge to take a token from the middle, they follow the instructions, then return the situation card to the bottom of the pile and the person to their left takes the next round.
These rules are similar to Cards Against Humanity or Apples to Apples, with a twist! This is an orderly way to play and is best for people that don't know each other well. 1) SET UP: Put the stack of “situation cards” and the tokens in the middle of the group. You can fill out the “write your own” cards whenever ideas come to you and include them in the deck. When they're blank, put them to the side. Give each player one double-sided “mitzvah or shandah” card. 2) PICK A CARD: When it’s your turn, you’re the Mitzvah Judge. Pick a situation card from the middle and read it aloud. 3) REACT AND DISCUSS: If the situation card instructs the judge to take a token from the middle, they follow the instructions, then return the situation card to the bottom of the pile and the person to their left takes the next round. If the card ends with “mitzvah or shandah?”, the rest of the players flip their card to the mitzvah or shandah side and go around explaining they're answer. Arguing, storytelling, and creative reasoning are encouraged! There is no right answer! But the judge will pick their favorite answer. 4) DECIDE: The Mitzvah Judge listens to the discussion in step 3, then awards the situation card (worth 5 points) to the player with the best answer — or to whomever they think deserves it the most. The player who wins the situation card is the next Mitzvah Judge and picks a card. 5) OPTIONAL RULE: The mitzvah judge can distribute mitzvah (1 point) and shandah (-1 point) tokens during their turn for any reason. Some examples: someone makes them laugh (mitzvah token), someone admits to committing a shandah (shandah token), someone compliments another player (mitzvah token!), someone is complaining (shandah token!) etc.. 6) FINISH AND COUNT: When you’re done playing (up to you when this is) players count their cards and tokens. Whoever has the most points is the winner ... or mensch!
These rules are a little more chaotic. These work better for people who know each other well and can laugh at themselves. 1) SET UP: Put the stack of “situation cards” and the tokens in the middle of the group. You can fill out the “write your own” cards whenever ideas come to you and include them in the deck. When they're blank, put them to the side. Give each player one double-sided “mitzvah or shandah” card. 2) PICK A CARD: When it’s your turn, you’re the Mitzvah Judge. Pick a situation card from the middle and read it aloud. 3) REACT AND DEBATE: If the situation card instructs the judge to take a token from the middle, they follow the instructions, then return the situation card to the bottom of the pile and the person to their left takes the next round. If the card ends with “mitzvah or shandah?”, the rest of the players flip their card to the mitzvah or shandah side. Players should discuss why they picked their answer and debate whether it's a mitzvah or a shandah. Arguing, storytelling, and creative reasoning are encouraged! There is no right answer! 4) DECIDE: The Mitzvah Judge listens to the discussion in step 3 and decides if the situation is a mitzvah or a shandah. 5) DETERMINE: Vote by show of hands, discussion, or pen and paper who in the group would most likely do the situation you just discussed. The Mitzvah Judge can break any tie. Then the judge gives that person a mitzvah or a shandah token from the middle pile based on their decision in step 4. (ie, if the judge thought it was a mitzvah, the person you voted for gets a green mitzvah token) 6) NEXT TURN: Put the situation card in the back of the deck. The person to the Mitzvah Judge's left goes next. 7) FINISH AND COUNT: When you’re done playing (up to you when this is) players count their cards and tokens. Whoever has the most points is the winner ... or mensch!
This game encourages us to lean into our culture’s traditions – debating, complaining, and judging – and make them fun and conversational. Play it as an icebreaker to get to know each other, or play with family and friends. This game is inspired by the High Holidays, but you can play it all year and use the cards as a conversation starter. Danielle got the idea in July, then tested the concept with friends and writers in NYC (read more about that here). It soft launched in September 2022, just in time for Rosh Hashanah.
We hope you enjoy this game and take part in some memorable and meaningful conversations. Send feedback or ideas for new cards to hi [at] danielleindoodles.com.