Chanukah Dreidel

One of the best known symbols of Chanukah is the Chanukah Dreidel. A Dreidel is a four sided top with a Hebrew letter on each side.

The four letters are:

  • Nun - Nes - A miricale
  • Gimel - Gadol - Great
  • Hey - Haya - Happened
  • Shin - Sham - There

Together, these letter say - "A Great Miracle Happened There."

In Israel the Dreidel is slightly different, and has one different letter:

  • Nun - Nes - A miricale
  • Gimel - Gadol - Great
  • Hey - Haya - Happened
  • Pey - Po - Here

So in Israel, the letters on the Dreidel say "A Great Miracle Happened Here!"

In a certain game children play with chocolate coins, giving or receiving coins according to the letter which appeared facing up when the Chanukah Dreidel stopped spinning. However, most children enjoy spinning tops regardless of chocolate coins that they may or may not receive?