Dreidel is a traditional Hanukkah game.  A dreidel is a four sided top with a Hebrew letter on each side.  The letters are:

SHIN,       HEY,      GIMEL,    NUN

These letters allude to the miracle of Hanukkah.  They spell: Nes (N - nun), Gadol (G - great), Haya (H - happened ) and Sham (S - there, meaning in Israel).  "A Great Miracle Happened There." In Israel the dreidel is a bit different in that their letters mean " A Miracle Happened HERE!"

Playing the game

Each player starts with ten pennies (Instead of pennies you cn use beans, toothpicks, etc.).

1. Each player puts up one penny.

2. Red dreidel goes first by spinning the dreidel.  The letter that faces up tells what to do (see below).

3.  Player with the most pennies at the end of the game wins.  If at any point no money is left, start the game again.

NUN - Do nothing.  Next player goes.

GIMEL - Take all the money.

HAY - Take half the money.

SHIN - Pay in 2 pennies.