Celebrate Hanukkah with Dr. Dreidel

Dr. Dreidel/ Hannah Rothstein

At a recent party I played the dreidel game for the first time in years.  It had been so long that I had forgotten the rules.  A friend with whom I was playing sent me a link to the work of artist Hannah Rothstein, who created the Dr. Dreidel.  

With Hanukkah already started, there probably isn't time to get your own Dr. Dreidel, although ordinary dreidels and chocolate coins can be found everywhere this time of year. 

Adapted from Myjewishlearning.com, here are the game's rules:

• Each player (as many as you want) begins with the same number of game pieces (chocolate coins, M&M's, etc)

• Each player antes up at the beginning of each round.

• Each player spins the dreidel; depending on the spin, you give or get from the pot. 

• Nun means "nisht" or "nothing;" The player gets nothing

• Gimmel means "gantz" or "everything;" The player gets everything

• Hey means "halb" or "half;"The player gets half of the pot.

• Shin means "shtel" or "put in;" The player adds a piece 

• If you end up with nothing, you are out unless a friend loans pieces to you

• When one person has won everything, that round of the game is over!

Isaac M. Alderman
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