The dreidel is a traditional game that is associated with the celebration of Hanukkah. It is played with special spinning dreidels, usually made from wood or plastic, and small amounts of money to wager. Although children and adults often enjoy the game, it has a more significant meaning as well, representing the Jewish people’s long struggle for religious freedom, oppression, and victory.
The Game of Dreidel
The game of dreidel is played with two to four players using a spinning top (known as a dreidel), a number of coins (such as chocolate coins, nuts, or other treats), and the four Hebrew letters נ, ג, ה, ש (which stand for the Hebrew words “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham”, meaning “a great miracle happened there”). Every time the dreidel stops spinning, the player who currently has the dreidel must place a coin into the pot and then either take coins from the pot based on the letter that is facing up, or put coins into the pot, depending on the letter. The game ends when one player has all the coins in the pot.
Symbolic Meaning of the Dreidel
The dreidel itself has a very special symbolic meaning in the story of Hanukkah and the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian-Greeks. According to one legend, the Maccabees escaped detection by the Syrian-Greeks by actually organizing themselves into schools, to practice their religion in secret; determined children used dreidels as distractions when Greek soldiers would enter.
It is also said that the four letters on the dreidel (Nun, Gimmel, Hay, Shin) stand for the Hebrew phrase “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham,” or “A great miracle has happened here.” This is a reference to the miraculously half-burned oil which kept the Menorah in the Temple burning for eight days, and the great victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian-Greeks, and is the source of the Hanukkah celebration.
Conclusion
Today, the dreidel is a beloved symbol of the Jewish people’s victory over tyranny and oppression; it is both a fun game to play as well as a reminder of their past and its many miracles. The joy of spinning a dreidel and the acts of charity associated with the game of “dreidel” are all important components of the festival of Hanukkah and will likely remain important parts of the festival for many years to come.
In conclusion, the dreidel is an important symbolic representation of Hanukkah and the Jewish people’s struggle against oppression. It is a reminder of the power of togetherness and the miraculous events that contributed to their victory. The dreidel game is still enjoyed today, just as it has been throughout the centuries, and is an important part of the celebration of Hanukkah.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.