ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

I Have a Little Dreidel

A dreidel is a small toy that looks like a spinning top. It usually has four sides, or faces, and each face has a different letter on it. The letters are Nun, Gimel, Hey, and Shin. These letters stand for the words "Nes Gadol Haya Sham," which means "A Great Miracle Happened There."

The way you play with a dreidel is by spinning it. You take turns spinning the dreidel, and whatever letter it lands on determines what you have to do. If it lands on Nun, nothing happens. If it lands on Gimel, you get to take all the coins or candy in the middle of the playing area. If it lands on Hey, you get to take half of the coins or candy in the middle. And if it lands on Shin, you have to put one of your coins or pieces of candy into the middle.

People often play with dreidels during Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday that lasts for eight days. It's a fun game to play with friends and family, and it also reminds people of the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days in the temple long ago.
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