During Hanukkah, many children (and adults!) like to play the Dreidel game. The Dreidel is a spinning top with four sides. On each side is a Hebrew letter, and each means something different. The word Dreidel is Yiddish and means “to turn.” In the Hebrew language, it is called a Sevivon, derived from “savov,” which means “to turn.”
The Dreidel game is usually played with a pot of gelt, or chocolate coins covered in foil. However, it can be played with anything small that can be traded, much like poker chips or playing cards in other games.
To play the Dreidel, the players take turns spinning the top. The side the top lands on determines what that player must do:
– Nun means “nichts” or “nothing.” If the top lands on this, the player does nothing, and play moves on to the next person.
– Hey means “halb” or “half.” The person who lands on this side gets half the pot that is in front of them at the time.
– Gimmel means “ganz” or “everything.” The player who lands on this side of the Dreidel gets all of the pot in front of them.
– Shin means “shtel” or “put in.” If this side is facing up, the player must add a game piece to the pot.
Each player starts with 10-15 pieces of candy, and when a player loses all their coins or candy, they are out. The person who is left playing in the end is the winner.
The Dreidel is a fun children’s game, but it wasn’t always such a happy occasion. The Dreidel dates back to the time of Antiochus, when Jews weren’t allowed to openly or freely practice their religion or study the Torah. Those who gathered together in secret to study the Torah always brought along a Dreidel with them. If someone were to stumble upon their activities, they would quickly use the Dreidel and pretend they were playing a betting game, rather than studying their religious text.
Today, the Dreidel is used to play a game that fosters fun, togetherness, and memory of the reason for Hanukkah.