What represents the joyful merriment of Hanukkah more than the multi-faceted whimsical dreidel? Whether you are in search of a practical top to spin with your family or a lovely collectible draydel, Judaica Specialties has a unique dreidel with your name on it! Perfect for party favors, our plastic dreidels are inexpensive and come in a variety of colors and styles. Our ceramic dreidels some hand-painted and some double as a hinged dreidel box. You’ll find stunning dreidels in our Gary Rosenthal collection. Rosenthal dreidels are masterpieces in their own right and worthy of display in the most contemporary living space. In our stained glass dreidel section you could find the dreidel of your dreams among those that refract the light in charming and surprising ways. New for 2007 is the World Peace dreidel along with a lovely selection of cloisonne dreidels.

Rosenthal Dreidels	Stained Glass Dreidels	Silver Plate and Sterling Dreidels	Ceramic Dreidels
Acrylic / Glass and Lucite Dreidels	Metal / Pewter Dreidels	Cloisonne and Resin Dreidels	Wood Dreidels
Decorative / Designer Novelty Dreidels	Papermache Dreidels	Dreidel Jewelry	Fillable and Bulk Dreidels
Plastic Dreidels	Dreidel Stands	Dreidel Ornaments	Sale Dreidels

Does your family decorate a Chanukah bush or share a Christmas tree with those of another faith?  Take a gander at our dreidel ornaments, a classic way of celebrating your religion in the midst of others’.  Our novelty dreidels include items such as painted Russian tops and delicate papercut dreidels that are perfect for wedding or baby shower gifts. Once you’ve chosen your favorite top, stop a minute at our stands collection and pick out the perfect piece to aid in the display of your dreidel. Would you rather carry around the spirit of the dreidel wherever you go?  Check out our fantastic jewelry section that specializes in dreidel pieces. As always, don’t forget to sneak a peek at our dreidels on sale!

Dreidels were first created during the time of the Greek occupation, when Antiochus ruled and the Maccabees had yet to revolt.  During this time, Jews were not allowed to study the Torah or pass down their time-honored traditions. G-d’s people were not to be kept from practicing their religion, however, and formed forbidden learning schools and gathered to study the Torah.  In order to maintain their secrecy, the Jews devised a clever disguise: they constructed a children’s toy – the dreidel – that they brought out whenever soldiers were heard approaching.  If the soldiers appeared, they would hide the Holy Scriptures and pretend to innocently play with the top. What the soldiers did not know was that upon the four sides of the dreidel were inscribed holy letters that helped to teach Israel’s children the stories and traditions so cherished by their ancestors.

It is believed that our modern dreidel game originated in Germany; the Yiddish word dreidel, meaning "spinning top," is derived from the German verb “drehen”, or “turn.” The modern dreidel is still four sided and boasts a Hebrew letter on each of its flat faces: "Nun", "Gimmel", "Hay", and "Shin". Tradition says that these letters are used because they form the first letters from the phrase: "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham" which translates "A Great Miracle Happened There" (in Israel, the phrase is translated "A Great Miracle Happened Here," and the dreidel is called a sivivon). The sentence refers to the temple altar lamp which only had enough oil to burn for one night, yet the lamp burned steadily for eight: the miracle of Chanukah.  Today, playing the dreidel in the light of the menorah is a reverent way to relax while keeping the tradition.

HOW DO YOU PLAY DREIDEL?

To begin the game, each player should have 10-20 tokens. Today children (and adults) usually play the dreidel game with peanuts, pennies or the recognized favorite, chocolate Hanukkah gelt (Yiddish for "money”).  Anything will do, because the fun is had in playing the game and not the winnings!.

The rules in the traditional version of the game are that each player starts with the same number of tokens, and in each round places at least one token in the center of the circle. Then each person takes a turn at spinning the dreidel. Whatever letter the dreidel shows when it is finished spinning determines what each person must do.