Hanukkah Hacks: How to Play the Dreidel Game

Simply put, a dreidel is a four sided top. The word dreidel comes from the yiddish word dreyen which, like the Hebrew equivalent Sevivon, means “to turn”.

The modern Dreidel that is prevalently found in Jewish homes is a variant of a teetotum, which when introduced to Germanic regions used letters to denote the results. The meanings were translated into Yiddish and in Jewish communities they used the Alef Bet for lettering. The results were Nothing (“Nichts”), Gains All (“Geynz Ale”), Half (“Halb”) and Put one in (“Shteln Eyns”).

During the time of the 2nd Temple, the 2nd century BCE, the Seleucid Greeks conquered Jerusalem and other surrounding cities in Israel. The Seleucid Emperor Antiochus IV, unlike his predecessors, persecuted the Jewish people by outlawing traditional Jewish practices, and enforcing a policy of Hellenization (forced conversion to Greek culture and polytheism). Many Jews assimilated into the Greek culture, but others fled to the mountains to maintain their faith and continue learning Torah studies in secret. They were harassed regularly by Greek soldiers, but when the Greeks came across their mountain caves, the Jews quickly hid their scrolls and brought out spinning tops, pretending to be gambling to pass the time.

Every Hanukkah, Jewish families all over the world commemorate this act of defiance by having dreidel competitions of their own. The game is very easy to play, and perfect for all ages.

New to the game? No worries, we are here to help!

You will need to have at least one dreidel, but it is more fun for everyone to have different dreidels as each dreidel is different and some can be quite elaborate with their artistry.

You will also need some form of tokens, it is common to use chocolate gelt (both dairy and pareve options are available), jelly beans, pennies, raisins, or even poker chips.

Divide the tokens evenly amongst each player so that everyone starts off on the same footing.

Each player will put two or three tokens into the pot (winnings pile) depending on the type of stakes you like to play with.

The players (order determined by house rules) will spin in order until someone gets a Gimmel and wins the round.

When you run out of tokens, you are out. Some people allow for loans to buy your way back in.

Continue until one player emerges victorious!

There are four "sides" to a dreidel (even round dreidels are broken down into quadrants). Each side contains a letter of the Hebrew alphabet: Nun, Gimmel, Hey, and Shin. This is an acronym for the phrase “Neis gadol haya sham,” meaning “A great miracle happened there.” In Israel, the shin is replaced by a pey, and the phrase reads “Neis gadol haya poh,” which translates as, “A great miracle happened here.”

If you have preschool aged children, teach them the Dreidel Song! If you have forgotten the words (has it really been that long)? We have included them below for your convenience:

I have a little dreidel, I made it out of clay.

And when it’s dry and ready, oh dreidel I shall play!

Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of clay,

and when it’s dry and ready, 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!

Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, with legs so short and thin.

Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, it drops and then I win!

My dreidel's always playful, it loves to dance and spin.

A happy game of dreidel, come play now let's begin.

Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, it loves to dance and spin.

Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, come play now let's begin.