Beyond the Spin: Secrets behind your favourite Chanukah Game
A favourite tradition during Chanukah is playing the dreidel, a spinning top with specific Hebrew letters on it. In this blog, we’ll explore why the dreidel is important, its history, what those Hebrew letters mean, and how to play. Whether you’re a newbie to dreidel or a pro, we’ve got something interesting to share with you!
The History of the Dreidel
According to tradition, in 175 BCE, King Antiochus Epiphanes instituted harsh decrees against Jewish life, prohibiting the practice of Shabbat, Brit Milah (circumcision), and Shechita (ritual slaughter). Additionally, teaching Torah was strictly forbidden. As passing on the Torah from generation to generation is one of Judaism’s most sacred traditions, even though outlawed by the Greek enemy and punishable by death, the Rabbis refused to give it up. Jewish children resorted to hiding in caves to study. If a Greek patrol would approach, the children would pull out their dreidel and pretend to be playing a game. By playing dreidel during Chanukah, we are reminded of the courage of those brave children.
Over the centuries, the dreidel evolved into a cherished Chanukah tradition, symbolizing the resilience of the Jewish people and their determination to preserve their faith and culture. Whether you call it dreidel in Yiddish or sevivon in Hebrew, today, whole families continue to gather around after lighting the Hanukkah menorah to indulge in this beloved spinning game together!
The Significance of the Hebrew Letters on the Dreidel
Traditionally, there are four Hebrew letters on the dreidel: nun, gimmel, hey, and shin, initials for the Hebrew phrase, “Nes Gadol Haya Sham,” meaning “a big miracle happened there.” In Israel, you can also find dreidels with the letter peh instead of a shin, changing the phrase to “Nes Gadol Haya Po,” or “a big miracle happened here.” However, many Jewish scholars were against changing the letters as they also have many other symbolic meanings.
Another symbolic way of looking at the dreidel’s Hebrew letters represents the divine aspects of a human being, which the Greeks wanted to destroy: Nun means Nefesh, Hebrew for “soul”; Gimmel means Guf, Hebrew for “body”; Shin is Sechel, “understanding” in Hebrew; and Hey stands for “Hakol,” which means “everything” in Hebrew because the other three letters make up all of a person’s core qualities.
Silver or Wood?
Dreidels are made out of all sorts of materials, but silver and wood seem to be especially traditional. The great sage Rabbi Moses Sofer (1762-1839), also known as the Chasam Sofer, used to make a point of playing with his children using a silver dreidel on Hanukkah. This might have been to fulfill the Jewish commandment of hiddur mitzvah, to beautify the mitzvot that we perform.
Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Shapiro suggested that it’s most fitting to use a wooden dreidel because of the Prophet Ezekiel’s vision of the end of exile, when the names of all the Twelve Tribes of Israel will be written together on a wooden tablet (Ezekiel 37:15-28). This section of the Torah is read in synagogue near the holiday of Hanukkah.
Rules of the Game
What you need for the game:
Players start with an equal number of coins or can use chocolate coins known as ‘gelt’ or other small treats, which can be enjoyed after the game. Start by having each player put a coin (or a piece of candy, or a token) into the middle; this is the “pot.” Take turns spinning. Depending on what the dreidel lands on, the player takes specific actions:
But There’s More
Besides the usual way of playing dreidel during Chanukah, some folks have taken it up a notch by trying to see how long they can keep their dreidels spinning or inventing unique ways to make them spin.
Back in 2009, even Good Morning America got in on the action and talked about a “Dreidel Renaissance.” That means there’s a whole new wave of games and ideas involving dreidels that make the tradition even more exciting. An organization called Major League Dreidel hosts dreidel tournaments in New York City during Chanukah. It’s like a championship for dreidel spinning, where people compete to see who can spin their dreidel the longest or do the coolest tricks.
Click below to watch an exciting moment from this Chanukah in Tel Aviv, where a Guinness World Record was achieved as more than 1,000 people gathered to spin the dreidel!
Tips for a Memorable Dreidel Game
So, gather your family and friends, become a dreidel pro, and explore all the cool ways you can enjoy this special Chanukah tradition. Have a fantastic Hanukkah, and may your dreidel spins be as awesome as the holiday itself!
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