Page 28 - Jewish News_December-2020

28A December 2020
K’zohar Ha-Ivrit
Se-vi-von – Dreidel
By Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin
he lovely holiday of Hanukkah,
also known as Chag Ha-urim,
Tthe ‘Holiday of Lights,’ is at our
door. Hanukkah commemorates the
Jewish victory over Greek religious
oppression, the rededication of the
Temple in Ye-ru-sha-la-yim and the re- land called Totum, meaning ‘All’ in
establishment of
the Jewish state
in Eretz Israel
(164 BCE). It is
interesting to note
that the Hanuk-
kah story is not
recorded in the
Hebrew Bible. Its
message of the
Dr. Rachel Dulin fight for religious
freedom was written in the Books of
Maccabees.
Many customs and rituals devel-
oped through time as part of the cel- a dreidel. As part of Hanukkah, the
ebration of this lovely holiday. One
of the most popular games associated
with Hanukkah is the spinning of the
dreidel. A dreidel is a ‘top,’ tradition- Hebrew letters Nun, Gimel, Hay and
ally made of wood or clay, which spins
on its pointed base. This is a very old
gambling game, which was played in
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JEWISH INTEREST
many cultures around the world and miracle happened there.’ The word the fun celebrating Hanukkah, the Hol-
has no Jewish roots. sham, ‘there,’ implies that the nes, ‘the iday of Lights. However, true to the
Some say the spinning top was an miracle,’ happened in Israel. The ac- Jewish culture, the inscription on the
ancient Indian game that represented ronym, then, connects the game with Se-vi-von is in Hebrew letters. And, New(ish) Broadcast
the cycle of the sun. Others trace it to Hanukkah, the holiday we celebrate to even though the Se-vi-von is used for and Streaming Offerings
a gambling game in England and Ire- commemorate the victory of the Mac- fun and games, it carries the profound The pandemic, frankly, has made writ-
cabean revolt. message that a nes gadol happened on ing in advance hard. Series and orig-
Latin. Accordingly, to facilitate the When the game arrived in Israel, it Hanukkah for the Jewish people in the inal films are now often added to the
game, four letters, T, H, P and N, were became equally as popular. Here, the land of Israel. Enjoy the fun and Chag TV/streaming schedule with short
inscribed on the sides of the Totum to dreidel received the Hebrew name Se- Sa-me-ach. notice. I mention this to explain why
represent the words: ‘Take all,’ ‘Half,’ vi-von. Se-vi-von is derived from the Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin is a professor many “things” that began in November
‘Put down’ and ‘Nothing.’ And, even in verb le-so-vev, which means ‘spin,’ of biblical literature at Spertus Col- are being mentioned in this column for
the Amazon of Peru, a ‘top’ was a part ‘turn,’ ‘circle’ and ‘encompass.’ Words lege in Chicago, and a retired adjunct the first time in December. The silver
of an old native gambling game played like s’vi-vah, namely ‘environs’ or ‘vi- professor of Hebrew and Bible at New lining is that it is far easier now than it
in the forest to pass the time and fol- cinity;’ or saviv, namely ‘surrounding;’ College in Sarasota. was, say, 10 years ago, to catch up with
lows rules with which we are familiar. and mi-sa-viv, meaning ‘round about,’ episodes of a series or to view a film
It is not surprising that the game are derived from the same root. way after its premiere.
traveled to the Jewish European world Unlike other places in the world, in STAY CONNECTED The comedy/drama series B Pos-
as well. Influenced by the German Israel the four Hebrew letters inscribed itive began on CBS on November
language where the spinning top is on the Se-vi-von are Nun, Gimel, Hay 5 (8:30 p.m.). Drew (Thomas Mid-
called a trundl, in Yiddish it is called and Pay. These letters represent an dleditch) is a therapist and the newly
acronym unique to Israel: Ness Gadol divorced father of a 12-year-old daugh-
game was adapted for fun, however Haya Po, meaning ‘a great miracle ter. He needs a kidney transplant and
a Jewish meaning was inserted into happened here.’ The word po, which facebook.com/jfedsrq he finds a match in Gina, a past ac-
it. So, traditionally, in the Diaspora, the means ‘here,’ implies that the miracle quaintance. SARA RUE, 41, co-stars
occurred in Israel. as Julia, Drew’s ex-wife. You might re-
Shin are inscribed on the sides of the In short, a simple gambling game member Rue as the star of the sit-com
dreidel representing the acronym Nes played all over the world and adapted Less than Perfect, which ran for four
Gadol Haya Sham, literally ‘a great by the Jewish world became a part of years, ending in 2006. She was born
Sara Schlackman (Rue is her mother’s
maiden name). Appearing in recurring
DECEMBER EVENTS THEME: roles are BERNIE KOPELL, 87, and
LINDA LAVIN, 82. Both play res-
JEWISH IDENTITY idents of an assisted living facility
where Gina works. Lavin plays Norma,
a woman who lived a “big life.” She
Thursday, December 10 at 10:30am
Danielle Renov
Peas, Love & Carrots
This is a cookbook for everyone. Filled with over 360 recipes of all va-
rieties: easy, involved, Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Middle Eastern, weekday,
Shabbos...truly something for everyone on any given day!
Danielle Renov is the blogger/influencer behind the popular brand, website
www.peaslovencarrots.com and Instagram account @peaslovencarrots.
From her kitchen in Israel, she creates delicious and approachable reci-
pes, lifestyle tips and hacks, and shares all things motherhood and family
related. But mostly, it’s food.
Tuesday, December 15 at 7:00pm
Stephanie Butnick
& Liel Leibovitz
The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia
This highly entertaining encyclopedia of all things Jewish and
Jew-ish covers culture, religion, history, habits, language and
more. Readers will refresh their knowledge of the Patriarchs
and Matriarchs, the artistry of Barbra Streisand, the signifi-
cance of the Oslo Accords, the meaning of words like bala-
boosta, bashert and bageling. Understand all the major and
minor holidays. Learn how the Jews invented Hollywood.
Includes hundreds of photos, charts and illustrations.
Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00pm
Rabbi Corinne Copnick
A Rabbi at Sea
While most people were enjoying well-deserved retirement, at age 73,
author Rabbi Corinne Copnick began her six-year course of study and was
ordained a rabbi at the age of 79. The ordination was the beginning of a
new adventure; she’s had an unconventional “pulpit.” In A Rabbi at Sea,
Rabbi Copnick narrates 40 interconnected stories of her travel experienc-
es as a guest rabbi on cruise ships. On every journey and in every country
visited, she discovered and explored Jewish life. Offering a global per-
spective, she presents a host of insights about the culture and the people
she encountered throughout her travels.