The Story of the Dreidel

Hanukkah is a story of many mysteries and miracles. In “Celebration Lights,” my book, which you can purchase on Amazon, Jeremey comes to a conclusion. He learns that his Jewish friends are celebrating the Miracle of the oil that lasted 8 days to keep the eternal light burning. It is a celebration that reminds the Jewish people of the victory that gave them their freedom to worship God.

Jeremy is celebrating the birthday of Jesus (called the light of the world) who won victory over sin and death, giving “who so ever believes” eternal life. So Jeremy says to Grandma,” This season should be called Celebration Lights.”

Here is a thought to ponder. What if the Maccabees did not fight to preserve their Hebrew heritage and all the Jewish people were killed? How would that of changed the plan of God to bring Jesus through the line of Judah? It would have stopped the birth of Jesus and changed God’s plan.

It seems to me based on the truth of the bible both Jews and Gentiles have a great reason to celebrate Hanukkah.

This is called a dreidel. The Hebrew letters on the dreidel mean, “A Great Miracle Happened There” Where is There? In Israel!!!

The dreidel game is one traditionally played on Hanukkah. Why? To remember how gave the Jewish people a way to protect their children. It was the plan God gave them so that the Jewish people could teach God’s word to their children. During that time in history, it was against the law to gather and to worship the God of Israel and the study of the Torah. If caught it could mean death.

However, the Jewish people knew it was a greater death without God and His word. The greatest gift they could give their children was the teaching of God’s word also called the Torah. So, when the children were gathered for Torah Study, they had dreidels with them to play. When the King’s soldiers saw the kids playing it fooled the soldiers. So they did not think they were braking the law and studying the Torah.

This Hanukkah season let’s rejoice we have the freedom to worship and study.

SHIN HEY GIMMEL NUN

Dreidel Game Rules – How to Play Dreidel.

The dreidel is a 4-sided top of ancient origin. The Hebrew letters on the side are nun, gimel, hay, and shin. They form an acronym in Hebrew which means “A great miracle happened there.”

This game is best played in groups of 4-6. Each player gets an equal number of pennies, nuts, M&Ms, stones or whatever you wish to use.

Each player takes turns spinning the dreidel. If it lands on:

Nun		— the player receives nothing, next player spins.
Gimel		— the player takes all of the pot.
Hay		— the player takes half of the pot.
Shin		— the player puts a playing piece into the pot.