Hanukkah Gelt: The History Behind The Popular Jewish Festival Tradition

Written by Yash Lakhan | December 5, 2023

What Is Hanukkah Gelt?

Hanukkah gelt (Yiddish for “money”) refers to small coins traditionally given to children during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Today, these are most commonly seen as chocolate gelt coins wrapped in shiny gold or silver foil, resembling real currency.

This tradition has deep cultural roots. Originally, Hanukkah gelt was given to teachers as actual money in gratitude for their dedication to education. Over time, this evolved into giving coins directly to children, both as a reward and as a way to teach them the value of giving through tzedakah (charity).

Modern Hanukkah gelt coins are also closely linked to festive activities like the dreidel game, where they are used as playful currency. The introduction of chocolate gelt coins by European Jewish chocolatiers in the 18th and 19th centuries made the tradition even more enjoyable for children.

Whether real or edible, Hanukkah gelt continues to symbolize generosity, learning, and celebration, making it an integral part of Hanukkah festivities across the world.

Gelts are essentially chocolate coins that are traditionally given to children during the festival of Hanukkah. The chocolates are wrapped in gold foil, thus resembling gold coins. But did you know how it all started and how the tradition we all know today came into existence?

The Jewish festival Hanukkah is the festival of lights. The flickering candles, menorah lighting, special prayers, and delicious foods describe Hanukkah. Hanukkah gets its name from a Hebrew word, Chanukah, which translates to "dedication."

This year, Hanukkah starts from sundown on December 7 to sundown on December 15. The festival lasts for a total of eight days, and during the festival, Jews gather with friends and family to celebrate and reflect on their long and rich history.

One of the most intriguing and fascinating parts of Hanukkah is the gelts or chocolate gelts. Hanukkah gels are chocolate coins that are given to children during the festival. They are wrapped in gold foil, giving them a look that resembles gold coins but is edible. There is a long history behind this tradition that goes back many years.

The History Behind The Hanukkah Gelts

Back in the 16th century, the word gelt (Yiddish for money; also Dutch and German for gold) linked Hanukkah and money. Jewish teachers used to travel to distant areas to teach underprivileged and illiterate Jews; they refused remuneration since teaching Judaism is considered a value in and of itself.

However, during Hanukkah, the instructors accepted gelt/coins. Those coins represented grateful, however modest, recompense for dedication to Jewish education (a play on the Hebrew words for education and holiday). Chocolate as a drink also came to Europe from the Western Hemisphere about this time.

Eating chocolate came later, as did chocolate coins. According to food writer Tina Wasserman, the first chocolate gelt was created by European Jewish chocolate producers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In The Wonders of America, Jenna Joselit mentions the growing purchasing power of American Jews in the 1920s, which encouraged them to make chocolate coins for Hanukkah.

By the end of the 1800s, the renowned author Sholem Aleichem was writing about gelt as a well-established tradition. In fact, he depicts a pair of brothers going from house to house collecting Hanukkah gelt in a manner similar to how modern American youngsters collect candy on Halloween.

The Jewish Philosophy & Meaning Behind Gelt

Most families nowadays offer their children chocolate gelt; however, some still give actual monetary gelt as part of their Hanukkah celebrations. Children are generally counseled to donate this money to a charity as an act of tzedakah (charity) to teach them the value of giving to those in need. It is a great practice and something that everyone should try to follow.

Unlike other types of gifts, such as toys, Hanukkah gelt (the non-edible variety) is a resource that can be spent any way the owner sees fit. Jewish principles strongly advise that gelt recipients provide tzedakah, or charity, with at least some of their gelt.

Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah with Gelt

Play Dreidel

Use Hanukkah gelt as game currency while playing dreidel. It adds fun and excitement to the traditional game.

Make Homemade Gelt

Create your own chocolate gelt coins using melted chocolate and fun fillings like nuts or dried fruits.

Decorate and Craft

Use shiny Hanukkah gelt coins for DIY decorations, gift bags, or festive table setups.

Practice Tzedakah (Charity)

Encourage children to donate part of their Hanukkah gelt to charity, teaching generosity and compassion.

Bake with Gelt

Melt chocolate gelt coins into cookies or desserts for a festive twist.

Hide the Gelt

Organize a scavenger hunt by hiding chocolate gelt coins around the house.

Gelt Gift Giving

Give increasing amounts of Hanukkah gelt each night to symbolize growing light and joy.

What You Need to Make Your Own Hanukkah Gelt

Ingredients:

• Chocolate (dark, milk, or white) – 200g
• Optional fillings – nuts, dried fruits, caramel

Tools:

• Mini muffin tin or coin molds
• Parchment paper
• Spoon or piping bag
• Foil wrappers (gold or silver)

Homemade Hanukkah Gelt Recipe: How to Make Chocolate Coins in a Few Easy Steps

1. Melt chocolate using a double boiler or microwave in short intervals.
2. Stir until smooth and lump-free.
3. Pour melted chocolate into coin molds or muffin tins.
4. Add optional fillings if desired.
5. Let the chocolate set at room temperature or refrigerate for faster results.
6. Once hardened, remove from molds.
7. Wrap each coin in foil to create classic chocolate gelt coins.

Tips for Success

• High-quality chocolate ensures a smoother texture, better taste, and a glossy finish for your chocolate gelt coins.
• Avoid overheating chocolate. Use low heat or short microwave bursts to prevent it from seizing.
• Coin molds help achieve authentic Hanukkah gelt coins shape and thickness for a professional look.
• Keep fillings small and evenly distributed so the chocolate sets properly without breaking.
• Ensure coins are fully set before wrapping to maintain shape and avoid melting.