The Origin and Purpose of Giving Chanukah Gelt 🌀 (Gold Coins)

Usually (but not always) when someone does not have the financial ability to fulfill a commandment/mitzvah, he or she is exempted. But Rav Yissachar Dov of Belz zt”l, explains that the mitzvah of lighting a menorah on Chanukah is different. This is because it requires one to beg or even sell his or her belongings, enough in order to be able to afford to buy the needed materials to do them oneself.

In the name of sparing those in such situations the indignity and humiliation of begging, or selling their belongings, the Sages began to teach and institute the custom of liberally distributing money, "gelt," to the poor, specifically at this time of year.

To reduce their shame still more, the custom was extended to giving money to children. Because they play games with the coins, and they are abundant at this time in the community, those who seriously need the coins are easily able to go unnoticed.

(Armadillo Ross giphy, Gelt giphy.)

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Melech ben Chaya מלך בן חיה, @inphiknit