So many different traditions in all parts of this world. Nice to learn of this particular one.
I have a little dreidel. I made it out of clay.
When it's dry and ready, with dreidel I shall play.
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made you out of clay.
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, with dreidel I shall play …
My dreidel's always playful. It loves to dance and spin.
A happy game of dreidel, come play now let's begin.
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, it loves to dance and spin.
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel. Come play now let's begin.
Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel (Song)
Thank you for that, aussie, I couldn't remember if dreidel was a game or a religious ritual. Maybe even a little of both. Hugs back to you.
abacii
Nov 27, 2013
It's not a ritual, but it is a tradition. It's a gambling device used with Hanukkah gelt (chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil). You spin the top and when it falls, the writing tells you whether to give or take from the "pot".
lydiagintn
Nov 27, 2013
Actually, it began as a way to fool the Syrians, The Jews would study Torah in secret, but the Syrians would go house to house to make sure they were not reading Torah. SO, we developed a way to trick them- when the Jews heard the Syrians coming, they would hide the Torah and bring out the dreidels and coins and say to the effect, something like "what, we can't get together for a little friendly gambling game? " Now, of course, it is a children's game basically only played at Chanukah time.
nlbuchanan
Nov 27, 2013
Thank you abacii. That does help clarify in my mind.
nlbuchanan
Nov 27, 2013
And thank you lydiagintn
aussiesapphire
Nov 28, 2013
This is such an informative site, thank you so much for your contribution abacii and Lydia - great stuff!!!
jiggler
Nov 29, 2013
I agree - who knew broadening the mind could be fun too:-))
I arrived in Missouri the day before Thanksgiving in 1953, recently discharged from the USMC, and with my new husband who was a MO native. The temp. was in the 70s. WOW, I thought. This is great. Having grown up in Mass., November was definitely cool and usually snowy. BUT, imagine my surprise a few days later, here, when we were knee-deep in snow! But, I'm still here; 8 children all live in Missouri, too, so I have much to be thankful for. Their dad is watching down over all of us. I am blessed!
I have a little dreidel. I made it out of clay.
When it's dry and ready, with dreidel I shall play.
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made you out of clay.
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, with dreidel I shall play …
My dreidel's always playful. It loves to dance and spin.
A happy game of dreidel, come play now let's begin.
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, it loves to dance and spin.
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel. Come play now let's begin.
Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel (Song)
Good night, God bless. Hugs.