Try spinning dreidels off the Web for fun and games

Whether you call it a dreidel or a s'vivon, Chanukah's special four-sided top never fails to instill lovely memories in children and bring back delightful ones in the not-so-young. That's why it's no surprise that there are so many wonderful pages devoted to dreidels on the World Wide Web. Today, I'll look at some of the best.

How did the dreidel become associated with the holiday of Chanukah? The World Zionist Organization site offers one explanation. An anecdote recalls the dreidel from the times when the Syrians prohibited the Jews from studying Torah. When the Syrians saw a group of Jews together, they checked to see that they were not studying. The Jews would hide their books and take out their dreidels and trick the Syrians into thinking they were just playing a game. The site is at http://www.wzo.org.il/en/resources/view.asp?id=47

In her article "Poker, Dreidel and Hannukah," Robin Treistman explains why Judaism, which normally frowns on gambling, actually promotes a child-sized version of it at this time of year, at http://www.wzo.org.il/en/resources/view.asp?id=499 And you'll find more history along with rules to the game at the ForEveryJew Web site at http://www.foreveryjew.com/chanukah.html

Dreidels of practically any shape and material can be purchased, but you can also make your own paper dreidel. Just print out the pattern, color it, cut it out, assemble it and spin away, at http://www.holidays.net/chanukah/pattern.html Truth be told, these paper dreidels aren't the best spinners. So Rita Milos Brownstein has some great suggestions about what you can do with them: String them like paper lanterns on yarn or ribbon for use as place cards at your Chanukah latke party or to hold candy. Check out http://www.jewish.com/chanukah/paper.shtml

Nothing can replace the visceral thrill of spinning your own dreidel. But since everything seems to have gone high-tech these days, you can try your luck on your computer with some virtual dreidels. Choose from the TorahTots version -- torahtots.com/holidays/chanuka/dreidel.htm -- the one at Judaism 101 -- http://www.jewfaq.org/dreidel -- or the ShockDreidel Game -- http://www.dnai.com/%7Edunda/SW/ShockDreidel.html You also can download the more sophisticated Dreidel game (for Windows and Macintosh.) Since this is shareware, you are expected to pay for this game if you enjoy it and decide to keep it. It's at http://www.dnai.com/%7Edunda/products.html

I found another online game that should please dreidel lovers. The Dreidel Slide Puzzle challenges you to unscramble the pieces to make a picture of a dreidel, at http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/hanukkah/sliders/start.htm

Although the classic Chanukah foods are latkes and the jelly-filled sufganiot (doughnuts), there's no reason you can't also indulge your passion for dreidels. The Jewish Community Center Web site has recipes for classic Dreidel Cookies along with ideas for Dreidel Toast and Fruity Dreidels that make good use of strawberries, bananas and canned pears. The recipes are at http://www.jcca.org/thisnewmonth/kislevdreidelcookies.htm

For almost a century, the American Lung Association has run the Christmas Seals campaign to promote lung health. In 1998, the association launched a Chanukah Seals campaign. You can take a look at the stamps with their dreidel and menorah designs and print them out. And it's still not to late to e-mail them as free electronic postcards. They're at http://www.chanukahseals.org/send_00.html

What would Chanukah be without the music -- and two of the holiday's sweetest tunes that pay homage to the little toy? First, sing along to "Sevivon, Sov, Sov, Sov" with both Hebrew and English lyrics, at http://207.168.91.4/vjholidays/chanukah/chantunes2.htm And then try all three verses of "I Have a Little Dreidel," at http://www.rainmall.com/hanukkah/hanusong.htm

Oh, and if you've never had a Little Dreidel (and made it out of clay), it's never too late! Just follow the instructions, make your little dreidel and have a wonderful holiday. The directions are at http://www.chadiscrafts.com/fun/chanukah.html