How to Play Dreidel
From your Judaism Guide

After lighting the Chanukah menorah, play this traditional Chanukah game with your family. Playing dreidel is a fun way to celebrate the holiday, create family memories, and strengthen your children’s Jewish identities.

Difficulty Level: Easy    Time Required: 20 to 40 minutes

1. All players get an equal amount of pennies, chocolate coins (gelt), candies, raisins, or tokens.
2. All players put one token in the pot in the center.
3. The dreidel is a four sided spinning top with a different Hebrew letter on each side. Players take turns spinning the dreidel.
4. The player acts according to the letter which is facing up when the dreidel stops spinning.
5. Nun: player does nothing.
6. Gimel: player takes all the tokens in the pot.
7. Hay: player takes half of the tokens in the pot.
8. Shin: player must put one token into the pot.
9. The winner is the one with the most tokens when everyone is tired of taking turns.
   

Tips:

1. Remember that this 2000+ year old game was originally a way for Jews to hide their studying at a time when Torah study was prohibited. Remind your children that Chanukah is a celebration of religious freedom.
2. Include all family members. Two year olds and grandparents can spin and yell "gimel, gimel, gimel."
3. Video the game. This is an opportunity to capture on film the whole family sharing a special time together.

Related Information:

• Chanukah
• Jewish Holiday Calendar
  

More How To's from your Guide to Judaism