“Unraveling the Mysteries: How the Hanukkah Dreidel Became a Symbol of Resistance and Resilience”
Ah, Hanukkah! That joyous time of year when families gather ’round for eight nights of celebration, lighting candles, and perhaps more importantly—spinning a dreidel! Now, if you’ve ever watched a group of folks intently urging a tiny spinning top to land on the “right” side, you might find yourself wondering: is this a game or a mystical rite? Spoiler alert—it’s a bit of both! The dreidel, with its four whimsical sides bearing Hebrew letters, isn’t just an adorable festival prop; it’s a nod to resilience, culture, and the whimsical nature of human traditions. So, whether you’re a dreidel aficionado or just looking to understand why your relatives get so competitive over this innocent little top, sit tight! We’re about to delve into how to play, where it came from, and why it continues to twirl its way into our hearts and celebrations! [LEARN MORE](https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/hanukkah-dreidel-history?utm_source=RSS)
During the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, an eight-day celebration of light that takes place every winter, you’ll probably spot people sending a small item twirling atop a table. It’s a dreidel, a spinning top with four sides, each of which is inscribed with a different Hebrew letter. The device is used to play a game that brings together a number of different aspects of Jewish culture.
How to Play Dreidel
The game involves placing a number of items or tokens in the center of a group of people; the items can be anything, but will often include sweets such as chocolate coins known as chocolate gelt, another Hanukkah tradition. Each player then takes a turn spinning the dreidel to see which Hebrew letter it lands on. This determines what they should do next in relation to the number of tokens.
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