There is a custom to spin a top – "Sebibon" in Hebrew, or "Dreidel" in Yiddish – during the holiday of Hanukah. Customarily, the letters "Nun," "Gimal," "Heh" and "Shin" are imprinted on the four sides of the Dreidel, representing the expression, "Nes Gadol Haya Sham" ("A great miracle occurred there" – referring to the Land of Israel). In Israel, where the miracle took place, a letter "Peh" is imprinted on the Dreidel instead of "Shin" to represent the word "Po" ("here," as opposed to "there").
Some explain this custom as commemorating a technique used by the Jewish schoolchildren under the Greek persecution to defy the government’s edicts. As we say in the "Al Hanissim" prayer, the Greek authorities sought "Le’hashkiham Toratecha" – to have the Jews forget the Torah by imposing a ban on Torah learning. The children, however, disobeyed this law, and continued learning. When the Greek authorities approached, the students would quickly hide their books and pull out their toys, to give the impression that they were playing, and not studying. We commemorate their heroism by playing with a Dreidel on Hanukah.
Others explain differently, claiming that the spinning of the Dreidel symbolizes the turn-around of events that characterizes the Hanukah story. The Jews’ position of sufferers under the ruthless oppression of the mighty Greek Empire was quickly reversed, and we symbolize this sudden reversal of fortune by spinning a top during Hanukah.
Another time-honored custom observed on Hanukah is the giving of gifts of money to children. Parents customarily give their children a few coins or some amount of money as gifts on this holiday.
It is also customary to send gifts to the children’s schoolteachers during Hanukah, to show appreciation for fulfilling the parents’ obligation to teach their children on their behalf. Teachers are generally underpaid, and their salaries are often paid late, yet they perform their holy work with great dedication and love. Hanukah, the holiday that celebrates our victory over the enemies’ efforts to obliterate Torah learning, is the perfect opportunity to show our gratitude to the teachers who work to transmit our Torah tradition to the next generation, and make considerable sacrifices in this effort. It is therefore proper to send teachers a small gift with the children and a note expressing appreciation for all their hard work and dedication.
It must be emphasized that we cannot disregard or ignore our sacred traditions. These customs that have been practiced for countless generations should continue to be observed, cherished, and transmitted to the next generation.
