“Gelt” means money in Yiddish and is often distributed during Chanukah. Jewish communities were historically unable to earn their own money, but today Israel issues commemorative coins for the holiday. Gelt was originally given to underpaid teachers and has since become associated with education and charity. It is also given to the poor to ensure they can light candles during Chanukah. The tradition of giving gelt emphasizes passing it on to others and is part of a complex tradition beyond just gift-giving.
“Gelt” is a Yiddish slang term meaning “money”. In Jewish tradition, gelt is often distributed as part of Chanukah, also called Hannukah, observances that take place in the dead of winter. The term has also been used historically in parts of Europe to describe a reparation payment made to the family of a murder victim or to end a violent feud. However, for the purposes of this article, we will discuss gelt in the context of Chanukah traditions.
Money is an important part of any culture, and it has been an important part of Jewish tradition. For centuries, Jewish communities were unable to earn their own money, as they lived in regions controlled by people of other faiths. Indeed, Jewish coins were not minted between AD 70 and the 1940s, when the Jewish state of Israel was established. Today, Israel issues special commemorative coins each Chanukah that are meant to be used as a Chanukah gelt; this tradition has been revived by some chocolatiers, who gel the molded chocolate and cover it with aluminum foil.
Originally, gelt was given to Jewish teachers and instructors, who were often as underpaid as modern teachers. Chanukah gelt was a major part of a teacher’s annual income in some regions, and was closely associated with education. As families began giving gelts to children, the associations with education continued; the children were rewarded in gelt for the previous year’s academic performance. Some families continue to maintain their connection to education by making contributions to college funds or private schools such as gelt.
Gelt has additional meaning in the Hanukkah tradition. For example, many Jewish families give alms to the poor in the cold and harsh winter season, and some rabbis have a tradition of distributing gelt to the less fortunate in their communities. According to the Jewish faith, people are required to light candles every Chanukah night, even if they are forced to beg to buy them; gelt was a way to ensure that poor members of the community could light candles without shame.
The tradition of giving gelt is traditionally linked to education and charity. Children who receive gelt are often expected to pass it on to the poor or save it for future use. Because Chanukah is so close to Christmas, many people simply associate the holiday with gifts, when in fact, Chanukah is part of a much older and much more complex tradition.
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