Is the dreidel game gambling?

December 12, 2009— — For centuries, the Dreidel game has been a Hanukkah tradition. The simple gambling game remains a fixture at Hanukkah parties, but today it’s often more decoration than entertainment – a party favor and not a party favorite.

When did the dreidel game start?

According to a tradition first documented in 1890, the game was developed by Jews who illegally studied the Torah in seclusion as they hid, sometimes in caves, from the Seleucids under Antiochus IV. At the first sign of Seleucids approaching, their Torah scrolls would be concealed and be replaced by dreidels.

What do dreidel symbols mean?

The Hebrew letters inscribed on a dreidel are a Nun, Gimel, Hey or Chai, and Shin. The letters form an acronym for the Hebrew saying Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, which can be translated to “a great miracle happened there,” referring to the miracle which Hanukkah is centered around.

Where did the word dreidel originate?

The Yiddish word dreidel derived from the German word drehen, which means “to spin.” The letters on the faces of the gambling toy, which were mnemonic for the rules of the game, varied in each nation. The letters on the English spinning top were: T for Take, H for Half, P for Put, N for None.

What do dreidels mean?

a great miracle happened there
A dreidel is a spinning top with four sides, each inscribed with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The letters form an acronym for the Hebrew saying Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, which can be translated to “a great miracle happened there,” referring to the miracle which Hanukkah is centered around.

Why do we play with dreidels on Hanukkah?

The dreidel game is one of the most famous Hanukkah traditions. It was created as a way for Jews to study the Torah and learn Hebrew in secret after Greek King Antiochus IV had outlawed all Jewish religious worship in 175 BCE. Today we play as a way to celebrate a rich history and have fun with friends and family!

What do the 4 Hebrew words on the dreidel mean?

The Hebrew letters inscribed on a dreidel are a Nun, Gimel, Hey or Chai, and Shin. The letters form an acronym for the Hebrew saying Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, which can be translated to “a great miracle happened there,” referring to the miracle which Hanukkah is centered around.

Why are there dreidels?

What does shin mean in Hebrew?

Shin as a prefix commonly used in the Hebrew language carries similar meaning as specificity faring relative pronouns in English– “that (..)”, “which (..)” and “who (..)”. When used in this way, it is pronounced like ‘sh’ and ‘eh’. In colloquial Hebrew, Kaph and Shin together have the meaning of “when”.

What do dreidels symbolize?

A dreidel is a top associated with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Each of the four sides of the top features a Hebrew letter, which are an acrostic for the Hebrew phrase meaning “A Great Miracle Happened There.”

How many dreidels do you need to play?

Each player begins with an equal number of game pieces (usually 10–15). At the beginning of each round, every participant puts one game piece into the center “pot”. Every player puts one in the pot after every turn.

What are the rules of the Hanukkah dreidel?

Rules of the Hanukkah Dreidel Game. A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter printed on each side. It is used during Hanukkah to play a popular children’s game that involves spinning the dreidel and betting on which Hebrew letter will be showing when the dreidel stops spinning.

What does the Talmud say about gambling?

In the Talmud, 1 the rabbis take a dim view about gambling. Besides being a risky enterprise financially, and addictive, the rabbis say that the winner is really a loser. Morally speaking that is.

Is gambling against halacha?

Look at all the jobs casinos create through out the country. The bottom line is it is not expressly forbidden in the Torah, or the Talmud that gambling is against halacha. Reply The Talmud gives a description what constitutes gambling.

What is a dreidel used for?

A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter printed on each side. It is used during Hanukkah to play a popular children’s game that involves spinning the dreidel and betting on which Hebrew letter will be showing when the dreidel stops spinning.