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 The
dreidel is associated with the Jewish holiday of Chanukah. What is a
dreidel? - spinning top game.
The dreidel has four
sided top with a Hebrew letter on each side:
-
נ
Nun
-
ג
Gimel
-
ה
Hey
-
ש
Shin
These letter make
up the phrase: A great
miracle happened there
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| It has four
sides: נ (Nun), ג (Gimel), ה (Hey), ש (Shin), and is usually
played with coins, chips, or gelt (chocolate coins).
Collectively, these letters are interpreted as, "a great miracle
happened there," or, without the nikkud.
In Israel, one letter on the
dreidel are different. The shin has been replaced with a pei,
transforming the Hebrew phrase into Nun, Gimel, Hey, Po.
“A great miracle happened
here.” |
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| נס גרול היה שס
(hebrew is read right to
left)
Before beginning, each player
starts with 10 or 15 coins, and then each player puts one in the
pot. Before spinning the dreidel each player deposits a fixed
proportion of the amount received into a "kupah" or kitty. One
of the players spins the dreidel. The dreidel stops and lands
with one of the symbols facing up and the appropriate action is
taken: |
- Nun - nischt - "nothing" -
the next player spins
- Gimel - gantz - "all" - the
player takes the entire pot
- Hey - halb - "half" - the
player takes half of the pot, rounding up if there is an odd
number
- Shin - shtel - "put in" -
the player puts one or two in the pot
Each player is given a turn to
spin the dreidel. The game may last until one person has won
everything. |
Dreidel Song
Chorus:
Oh Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel
I made it out of clay
Oh Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel
Then Dreidel I shall play.
It has a lovely body
With legs so short and thin
And when it gets all tired
It drops and then I win
~Chorus
My dreidel's always playful
It loves to dance and spin
A happy game of dreidel
Come play, now let's begin!
~Chorus |
 Latkes
(potato pancakes) and soufganyot (sugared or jelly filled
doughnuts) are traditional Chunukah foods. see
Potato Latkes Recipe |
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Some Laws Concerning Menorah and Chanukah |
| Chanukah is a
Jewish holiday, also known as the Festival of lights. Chanukah
is a Hebrew word meaning "dedication". It is also spelled
Chanuka, Hannukah or Hanukkah. The first evening of Chanukah
(called Erev Chanukah) starts after the sunset of the 24th day
of the Hebrew month of Kislev. As in Jewish tradition the
calendar date starts at sunset, Chanukah begins on the 25th.
also see: Chanukah rituals - Dreidel Rules - Chanukah Cards -
Kislev
Hanukkah Menorah: also called a
Chanukiah
Mitzvah - Commandment from God |
December 26, 2005
December 16, 2006
December 5, 2007 |
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