Hanukkah & the Dreidel

Shalom,

As with the holiday of Christmas, Hanukkah was originally a spiritual holiday and did not have any emphasis on giving gifts other than Tzedakah (charity). 

Hanukkah is really about miracles (Nissim) which come from God.   

The “dreidel” (dray dell) is a spinning top used to play the Dreidel Game and teach the story of Hanukkah at the same time.  It is also a reminder of how easily religious freedom can be taken.  “S’veevon” is the Hebrew word for dreidel. What all dreidels have in common is four sides, each with a Hebrew letter.  In Israel those letters mean – A Great miracle happened here! (Nes Gadol Hayah Po)  Dreidels purchased outside of Israel say “A great miracle happened there! (Nes Gadol Hayah Sham)

נ ג ה ש  (Hebrew is read right to left)

נ - Nes

ג - Gadol

ה - Hayah

ש - Sham  (there)   פ - Po (here)

Historically, the dreidel game was used as a diversion so the Jewish people could study Scriptures. Scripture study was banned by the Seleucid Syrians during the occupation of Israel.  When people studied, the dreidel would be handy.  When the “lookout” warned soldiers were coming, everyone began playing the Dreidel game.

Dreidels and Hanukkah Gelt

(Image courtesy of Amber Perry)

If you are playing “Dreidel” you need money and this how “gelt” or “gold” became associated with Hanukkah.  In modern times, Hanukkah Gelt is really chocolate wrapped in silver or gold foil.  Pennies, nuts, candies, or other objects can be substituted when playing Dreidel.

HOW TO PLAY THE DREIDEL GAME

Any amount of people can play. The winner keeps all the items in the pot. Divide “money” evenly among players and decide who will go first. To start, everyone puts one money piece in the “pot”. When everyone has had a turn, everyone puts another item in the pot. The first person spins. When the dreidel stops, the letter lying face up indicates what should be done.

 נ – Nun (nisht-nothing) means nothing happens

ג – Gimel (ganz-all) means you get all the items in the pot

ה – Hay (halb-half) means you get half of the items in the pot

ש - Shin (shtel-put in) you put an item in the pot

 By the end of a few rounds of dreidel, EVERYONE should remember that “A Great Miracle Happened There!”

 Holy Land Gifts helps you remember Hanukkah with the “A Great Miracle Happened There” serving plate.  We also recommend our Hanukkah Gift Box set which contains a 9 branch Hanukkiah, Box of 44 candles, and an important educational tool, “God’s Lamp: Man’s Light, written by Dr. John Garr a leading educator on the Hebraic Roots of Christianity.  AND as always these items are great gifts for anyone INCLUDING YOU!