(Yiddish: dreydl or דריידל / Spelling: Dreidel, Dreidal. Other names: Sevivon or סביבון in Hebrew. English definition: A four sided spinning top)

A Dreidel is a spinning top Jews customarily play with during the holiday of Hanukkah. It is has 4 Hebrew letters, נ, ג, ה, and ש on each of its four sides each dictating a specific move in the game. It symbolizes the miracles of Hanukkah that happened to the Jews, and today has become a common symbol associated with the holiday.

Derivation and Origin

The word Dreidel comes from the Yiddish word drei which means to turn. The origins of the Dreidel are not known for sure. Jewish tradition has it that it was used as a ruse by Jewish children to fool the Greeks who had outlawed the studying of Torah amongst other Jewish observances. The Greeks examining the children assumed they were playing a simple game and upon their departure Torah study was resumed.

Form and Function

The size, material, and exact shape of the Dreidel differ but the overall form is the same. They range from small to large, round bottomed or pointed, and are usually made of plastic or wood. It has a four sided top with a little stem for spinning and 4 Hebrew letters נ(Nun), ג (Gimmel), ה(Heh), and ש(Shin) painted or engraved on each side. These letters are an acronym for the phrase “נס גדול היה שם” which means ‘A great miracle happened there’ referring to the miracles that occurred during the time of the Maccabean revolt in Israel under Syrian-Greek rule. In Israel the ש is replaced with פ for פה which means here, rendering the phrase as “ A great miracle happened here.”

The Dreidel is one of the more popular customs of Hanukkah. It is used in a game termed ‘Dreidel’ and is generally played during family get togethers and holiday festivities after a possible yummy meal of dairy products and potato latkes. It is played both by kids and adults alike.

Rules

The game is played with more then one person. Every member receives an equal amount of Chanukah Gelt (Hanukkah coins) or any other item to be used as points. The goal of the game is for one member to win all the coins. At the start of the game every game player puts one coin or any specified amount into the communal pot. Everyone takes turns spinning the Dreidel and depending on which side it lands on will perform 1 of 4 actions. 1) Take the entire pot, 2) Take only half, 3) Lose to the pot, or 4) Standby. The ‘Gimmel’ takes all, the ‘Heh’ takes half, the ‘Nun’ stands by, and the ‘Shin’ requires losing points to the pot.