what is dreidel
By Ariela Pelaia. A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side. It is used during Hanukkah to play a popular children's game that involves spinning the dreidel and betting on which Hebrew letter will be showing when the dreidel stops spinning. Hey means halb, which means half in Yiddish. 2  If the dreidel lands with a hey facing up the spinner gets half of the pot. 3  Shin means shtel, which is Yiddish for put in.. 4  Pey means pay.. 5  If the dreidel lands with either a shin or a pey facing up the player adds a game piece to the pot.