Though it is small and seen as a simple toy the dreidel has a history of its own. Everything has its own importance including the dreidel. In a way it helped to keep the Jewish people safe in a time of danger.
In ancient times the Jewish people were being persecuted by a king named Anctious . He did not approve of the teachings of Judaism and so banned it. Anctious wanted everyone to worship his Greek gods. Anyone caught practicing the Jewish law were killed.
Despite this the Jews continued to pray and to study the Torah in secret. Small tops were kept out on the tables during study sessions. When a soldier from Anctious's army came in the Torahs were quickly hidden and out came the dreidels to fool the soldier into thinking that everyone was just playing a game. As long as they had the little tops they were safe.
The Hebrew markings on the dreidel nun,gimel,shin, and hey are translated into "A Great Miracle Happened Here" in Israel or "A Great Miracle Happened There" in countries outside of Israel in memory of the Macabee's victory over Anctious' army.
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