The Dreidel and Hanukkah

The four letters which appear on the four corners of a dreidel 
allude to the miracle of Hanukkah. Taken one after the other 
they spell out (from right to left):


Fairly innocent so far, you'll agree.

Now comes the more racy part, the point where the Maccabees' rededicated Temple and Caesar's Palace spin together, 
turning the historic commemoration into an opportunity to generate some cash!

To Play
1. Decide on an entry amount.
2. Each player spins in turn.
3. Depending on what the dreidel lands on you either add to the pot, take away from it or pass to the next person:
     Nes - Nothing, a pass.
     Sham - Add a jelly bean, nut, coin, etc. to the pot.
     Haya - Get half the pot.
     Gadol - Get everything!

Question:  What is the source of the Dreidel?
Answer: A dreidel (also spelled dreidl or draydel) is a four sided 
spinning top 
with a different Hebrew letter on each side. 
The game of dreidel is traditionally played during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.




The Ancient Connection
Some people maintain that the dreidel game goes back to the time of the Greek-Syrians, and thus is integrally connected to the Hanukkah holiday. 
Since the Greek-Syrians prohibited the Jews from studying Torah, the Jews needed a way to hide their Torah learning. 
They used the dreidel as a decoy. When they saw the Greek-Syrians coming, the Jews would hide their books, take out their dreidels, 
and trick the Syrians into thinking they were just playing a game.

Dreidel Songs

I Have a Little Dreidel
Playing at the start of this page

I have a little dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play!

(Chorus)

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 my dreidel's 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)

**************************

Sivivon, sov, sov, sov

Sivivon, sov, sov, sov
Hanukkah, hu chag tov
Hanukkah, hu chag tov
Sivivon, sov, sov, sov!

Chag simcha hu la-am
Nes gadol haya sham
Nes gadol haya sham
Chag simcha hu la-am.

(Translation)
Dreidel, spin, spin, spin.
Hanukkah is a great holiday.
It is a celebration for our nation.
A great miracle happened there.