Dreidel
is a derivative of a German word meaning "top"
and 
the
game is an adaptation of an old gambling game. Hanukkah
was one of the few times of the year when rabbis
permitted games of chance. The dreidel, therefore,
was a natural candidate for Hanukkah entertainment.
The
four sides of the top bear four Hebrew letters:
nun, gimel, hei, and shin. Players would begin by
"anteing" certain number of coins, nuts,
or other objects. Each one in turn would then spin
the dreidel and proceed as follows: nun ("nichts")
– take nothing; gimel ("ganz") –
take everything; hei ("halb") – take
half; shin ("shtell") – put in.
The
winner would often receive money (Hanukkah gelt).
Over time, the gambling terms were reinterpreted
to stand for the Hebrew phrase Nes Gadol Hayah Sham,
"A great miracle happened there." Thus,
even an ordinary game of chance was invested with
Jewish values and served to remind Jews of the important
message of Hanukkah. Today, Jewish children throughout
the world continue to enjoy the game of dreidel.
In Israel, one letter on the dreidel has been changed.
The shin has been replaced with a pei, transforming
the Hebrew phrase into Nes Gadol Hayah Po. "A
great miracle happened here."
Excerpt from The
Jewish Home. Used with permission.
Other Traditions:
Gelt,
Food,
Menorah
