A Dreidel (Trendl (jiddisch), draydel (English way of writing), s'wiwon (hebr.)), also Dreidl, is in the Jewish faith a gyroscope with four sides. It concerns not how often assumed around a prayer gyroscope, but a steeped in tradition toy, which by Jewish children during the light celebration Chanukka is turned. Each side of the Dreidels shows another Hebrew letter: (now), (Gimel), (He), (Schin). In place of the Schin one finds letters in Israel also (PE). They stand for shame and/or Nes for the set of Nes gadol haja gadol haja po (a large miracle is there/here happened).

• (Hebrew from right to left one reads)

Emergence of the Dreidel

During their rule over Israel in 2. Jhdt. v. Chr. forbade the Syrians to the Jews the theory and learning of the Torah and placed it under punishment, which was punished with death or with prison. the Jews remained stopped their children despite the prohibition for the study of the religious traditions. If Syrian patrols emerged, then the children had fast the Dreidel handy and did in such a way as if they played thereby. One stated, one had met only for playing. Thus the Dreidel contributed to the preservation of the Judentums.

So far the legend. The Dreidel is substantially younger actually: in the Dreidel a German children's game from that lives 16. Jhdt away. One called the gyroscope toton, he carried (latin) the letters P-N-J-F and/or A-R-J-F at that time. On Pieter Brueghels painting children's game (1560) one (left down) sees children with the gyroscope play (after David Parlett: The Oxford History OF board Games).

The Dreidel play

The play, which the children played at that time after the legend with the Dreidel, is played also today still to Chanukka mostly around sweets. The players turn alternating the Dreidel; the side, which shows upward, indicates the profit:

• now = (nothing) - in addition, one wins not, loses nothing.
• Gimel = (well or completely) - one wins all cash contents, afterwards each player must put (two) piece (e) in the Pott.
• Hej = (half) - one wins half of the cash (rounded up). (Sometimes it is required that if only one piece remains, each two (one) to insert must.)
• Schin = (badly or schtell; jidd.) - one must put (two) a piece (e) into the cash. Who cannot, is raus.

(Whether or two pieces are to be inserted in each case a Gelt, is differently fixed in different places. It obviously concerns variants of the rules.)

Letter with write variants

Articles in category "Dreidel"

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Related Websites

We found here 4 related websites.

• Chanukah On the Net - The Dreidle
  One of the best known symbols of Chanukah is the Dreidel. A dreidel is a four sided top with a Hebrew letter on each side. The four letters are: ...


• Hanukka Dreidel Game
  The four letters which appear on the four corners of a dreidel alude to the miracle of Hanukkah. ... Then each person takes a turn at spinning the dreidel. ...


• Judaism 101: Virtual Dreidel Game
  Play a virtual dreidel game! Dreidel is a traditional Chanukkah game, and you can play it online at Judaism 101!


• Make a Driedel
  Make a Dreidel ... Use a paper punch to put round holes in the top and bottom area of the Dreidel. Fold the flaps (this is the gray areas), then glue them ...