Dreidels Dreydels

History of Hanukkah Dreidels

A dreidel (draydel, draidel, dreydle) is a four-sided Chanukah spinning top which is used to play a game with coins or “chocolate gelt”, and has become a popular Chanukah symbol. Dreidels often come in many colors and various sizes, and have a Hebrew letter on each side. In Israel, the letters are Nun, Gimel, Heh, Peh, which stand for “Nes Gadol Hayah Poh” (A great miracle happened here). Dreidels for use outside of Israel all contain the Hebrew letters Nun, Gimel, Heh, Shin, meaning “A great miracle happened there”.

 The miracle in question refers to the Chanukah story, when the small Hashmonean army led by Matisyahu and