Dreidels
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The dreidel is the four-sided top spun during Hanukkah. Its Hebrew letters nun, gimel, hey and shin stand for "Nes Gadol Haya Sham," a great miracle happened there. Players take turns spinning and win or lose gelt depending on the letter that lands face up.
Shop wooden, acrylic and ceramic dreidels, bulk packs for classrooms and parties, build-your-own brick dreidels, the twenty-sided Dreidel20, and collectible pieces from Yair Emanuel, Joy Stember and the Israel Museum shop. Pair them with Hanukkah gifts for kids and Hanukkah decorations.
Need a rules refresher? Read how to play dreidel, then plan the rest of the holiday with our Hanukkah guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dreidel?
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A dreidel, or sevivon in Hebrew, is a four-sided spinning-top. Letters are inscribed into each side to commemorate the miracle of Hanukkah and comprise of the first letter of each word in the statement in Hebrew "נס גדול היה שם" (transliterated as Ness Gadol Haya Sham) and meaning "a great miracle happened there". Read our guide to learn everything you want to know about dreidels.
What are dreidels made from?
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Traditionally, dreidels were made of wood or clay, but modern dreidels can be made from various materials like plastic, metal, or even glass. They can also be elaborately decorated for aesthetic or religious reasons.
What is the purpose of a dreidel?
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Dreidel is a traditional game played during Hanukkah, with each Hebrew letter on its sides representing different outcomes of the game and symbolizing the phrase "Nes Gadol Haya Sham" (A great miracle happened there). It also reminds us of the time the Greeks forbade Jews from practicing their religion, and children would hide Torah study by pretending to play dreidel.
What do the symbols on a dreidel mean?
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The Hebrew letters on a dreidel are an acronym for "Nes Gadol Haya Sham" (A great miracle happened there).
How many sides does a dreidel have?
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Dreidels have four sides. The Hebrew letters on a dreidel are an acronym for "Nes Gadol Haya Sham" (A great miracle happened there).
Why do we play dreidel on Hanukkah?
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Playing dreidel on Hanukkah reminds us of a time when Greek-Syrian rulers did not allow us to study Torah. So Jewish children would meet in secret to learn, and if a Greek patrol approached, they would hide their scrolls and pretend to be playing with spinning tops (aka dreidels) instead. The dreidel's four Hebrew letters, Nun, Gimmel, Hey, and Shin, form the acronym for "A Great Miracle Happened There" ("Nes Gadol Haya Sham"), which commemorates the miracle of Hanukkah.
How do you play dreidel?
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Read our guide to learn how to play dreidel.
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