Hanukkah gelt

Hanukkah gelt is a Jewish tradition associated with the festival of Hanukkah. The term "gelt" is Yiddish for "money". Hanukkah gelt is often distributed to children during the eight-day Hanukkah celebration. This tradition has its roots in the Eastern European Jewish custom of children presenting their teachers with a small sum of money at this time of year as a token of gratitude.

History

The tradition of giving Hanukkah gelt dates back to a long-standing East European custom of children presenting their teachers with a small sum of money at this time of year as a token of gratitude. This custom likely originated in 17th or 18th century Poland. The practice then spread to other parts of Eastern Europe and eventually to the rest of the Jewish world.

Modern Practice

In modern times, Hanukkah gelt is often given in the form of chocolate coins wrapped in gold or silver foil, a nod to the historical tradition of giving money. These chocolate coins are often used in the game of Dreidel, a popular Hanukkah pastime.

In addition to being a fun tradition, the giving of Hanukkah gelt also has a deeper significance. It is seen as a way to teach children about charity and generosity. Some families have a tradition of giving their children real money in addition to, or instead of, the chocolate coins. The children are then encouraged to give a portion of their money to charity.

See Also

• Dreidel
• Hanukkah
• Jewish Holidays