Historically, Hanukkah was not a gift-giving holiday. Thanks to the commercialization of Christmas, the custom of giving gifts on Hanukkah has become more popular in recent decades such that many Jews today consider gift-giving an essential part of the Hanukkah celebration.
The most traditional gift for Hanukkah is gelt, which is Yiddish for “money” — given either in the form of real money or wrapped chocolate coins. These can be used to play the popular Hanukkah game, dreidel. According to legend, the coins we give on Hanukkah reflect similar coins that were minted to celebrate the victory of the Maccabee soldiers over the ancient Greeks in the Hanukkah story. Another explanation for giving gelt comes from the meaning of the Hebrew word “Hanukkah.” The root of the word, hinnukh, means education — the custom of giving your children money for the holiday was meant to teach the importance of charity and giving to others. This was also the time of year children were given money to give as a gift from their families to their teachers.
Today there are many ways that Jews give gifts on Hanukkah. Some families give small gifts for all eight nights of the holiday, while others give just one large gift for each family member and of course some families don’t give gifts at all. There is also a custom to give gifts secretly amongst a group of friends and guess who has received whose gift. Modelled on the “Secret Santa” trend, this is known as “Hanukkah Harry.” There is no one right way to give gifts on Hanukkah. Families adopt their own customs and the gift-giving practice remains fluid across the spectrum.
In memory of this, our sages appointed these eight days for annual thanksgiving and for lighting candles. Traditionally, gifts were not a part of Hanukkah. Instead, a small amount of money or chocolate coins, referred to as “gelt
gelt
Hanukkah gelt (Yiddish: חנוכה געלט ḥanukah gelt; Hebrew: דמי חנוכה dmei ḥanukah 'Hanukkah money'), also known as gelt (German: Geld), is money given as presents during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
The most traditional gift for Hanukkah is gelt, which is Yiddish for “money” — given either in the form of real money or wrapped chocolate coins. These can be used to play the popular Hanukkah game, dreidel.
There's no ceremony for giving gifts. Instead, appropriate Hanukkah gifts are usually small, thoughtful, and often food-related. Typical Hanukkah gifts, such as dreidels, board games, and fancy meats, are designed to show togetherness and bonding among Jews.
Hand-made items like cards, clothes, or even crafts are also extremely thoughtful gifts. Another option to get as a gift is food. Whether it is getting a chocolate gelt for the children, traditional fried potato latke, or even Hanukkah cakes.
Traditional foods include potato latkes, applesauce and brisket. Spinning the dreidel (a four-sided top) for “Hanukkah gelt” (gold-wrapped chocolate coins) is another part of the celebration. Your host might appreciate gifts of chocolate, gourmet applesauce, candles, books or board games.
Increasingly, however, many Jewish parents are not comfortable showering their children with gifts. Some prefer to follow the older custom of giving gelt. They give a dollar the first night, two the second night and so on.
Hanukkah gelt (Yiddish: חנוכה געלט ḥanukah gelt; Hebrew: דמי חנוכה dmei ḥanukah 'Hanukkah money'), also known as gelt (German: Geld), is money given as presents during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. It is typically given to children and sometimes teachers, often in conjunction with the game of Dreidel.
Some nonreligious customs of celebration are eating treats fried in oil (which recalls the miracle of the oil), giving children gifts of money (Hanukkah gelt), and playing a game with a four-sided top called a dreidel.
High-quality menorahs, dreidels, and candles are common traditional gifts. While it's not specific to Hanukkah itself, a good mezuzah is always a meaningful gift, especially if it matches the recipient's decor.
"Among other rules, eating certain animals, primarily pigs and shellfish, is forbidden; meat must be ritually and humanely slaughtered; and dairy and meat aren't to be eaten at the same meal." Fish and plant foods are "neutral" (parve) and can be eaten with either meat or dairy.
Wine is also a very popular drink used by the Jewish people to commemorate occasions. Jason explains, “We celebrate Hannukah and other holidays with alcohol, particularly wine, because it is a symbol of joy and happiness.
Many families exchange gifts each night, such as books or games, and "Hanukkah Gelt" is often given to children. Fried foods—such as latkes (potato pancakes), jelly doughnuts (sufganiyot) and Sephardic bimuelos—are eaten to commemorate the importance of oil during the celebration of Hanukkah.
Put a menorah in the front window. Fill glass bowls with blue and white glass globes. Set out a bowl of dreidels so the children, and grown-ups, can play. If you want something that sparkles, you might fashion a Star of David out of a string of white lights and hang it on the wall.
Hanukkah gelt (Yiddish: חנוכה געלט ḥanukah gelt; Hebrew: דמי חנוכה dmei ḥanukah 'Hanukkah money'), also known as gelt (German: Geld), is money given as presents during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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