Dreidel

Hanukkah · spinning top · Jewish tradition · games

Four-sided spinner. A dreidel is a top with four flat sides, each marked with a Hebrew letter. When you spin it and it falls, which letter lands face-up tells you what happens next in the game.

Hanukkah tradition. Families play dreidel together during Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights that lasts eight days. It's a fun way to celebrate and spend time together.

European cousin. The dreidel is based on a toy called a teetotum that was popular in Europe and Latin America. Jewish people adapted it and added Hebrew letters to make it their own.

Game with rules. In the dreidel game, players take turns spinning and win or lose small prizes like chocolates, nuts, or coins based on which letter lands face-up. Everyone gets a chance to spin and play.

Ancient roots. The letters on the dreidel spell out a Hebrew phrase that means 'A great miracle happened there,' reminding players of the miracle that Hanukkah celebrates.