The dreidel, a four-sided spinning top, is a beloved part of Hanukkah celebrations and a timeless game enjoyed by all ages. Players take turns spinning the dreidel and either put pieces into or take pieces out of the pot based on the letter the dreidel lands on. But have you ever wondered about the meaning behind those Hebrew letters?
The answer depends on where you are in the world.
Dreidels Around the World
In most places outside of Israel, the dreidel’s four sides are marked with the Hebrew letters nun, gimmel, hay, and shin. These letters stand for the phrase Nes gadol haya sham (נס גדול היה שם), which translates to “A great miracle happened there.”
This phrase recalls the central miracle of Hanukkah. Over 2,000 years ago, during the time of the Syrian Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes, Jewish practices such as Torah study and circumcision were forbidden. The Temple in Jerusalem was desecrated, and a statue of Zeus was erected.
Against all odds, a small group of Jewish fighters known as the Maccabees waged a three-year guerrilla war against their much stronger adversaries and emerged victorious. Upon reclaiming the Temple, they found only a small jar of pure oil to light the Temple’s menorah. Miraculously, that oil lasted for eight days, long enough to produce more. The letters on the dreidel commemorate this miracle of Jewish resilience and divine intervention.
Dreidels in Israel
In Israel, where the miracle of Hanukkah took place, the dreidel is slightly different. Instead of shin, the fourth letter is pay, reflecting the phrase Nes gadol haya poh (נס גדול היה פה), meaning “A great miracle happened here.”
A Symbol of Hanukkah’s Message
The letters on the dreidel are more than just part of a game; they carry the timeless story of Hanukkah and its miracles. Whether the letters say “there” or “here,” the dreidel serves as a reminder of the enduring light and hope that Hanukkah brings.