Hanukkah gelt: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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Giving Hanukkah gelt appears to be a relatively recent tradition. According to popular legend, it is linked to the miraculous victory of the [[Maccabean]]s over the ancient Greeks. To celebrate their freedom, the [[Hasmoneans]] minted national coins. <ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1133537.html The gelt chronicles, reprinted in [[Haaretz]], from [[The Forward]]]</ref> It may also have begun in 18th century Eastern Europe as a token of gratitude toward religious teachers, similar to the custom of tipping service people on Christmas. <ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1133537.html The gelt chronicles, reprinted in [[Haaretz]], from [[The Forward]]]</ref> The candy companies that produced the first chocolate Hanukkah gelt may have been inspired by the chocolate coins called ''geld'' given to children as part of the St. Nicholas holiday in Belgium and the Netherlands.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1133537.html The gelt chronicles, reprinted in [[Haaretz]], from [[The Forward]]]</ref> |
Giving Hanukkah gelt appears to be a relatively recent tradition. According to popular legend, it is linked to the miraculous victory of the [[Maccabean]]s over the ancient Greeks. To celebrate their freedom, the [[Hasmoneans]] minted national coins. <ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1133537.html The gelt chronicles, reprinted in [[Haaretz]], from [[The Forward]]]</ref> It may also have begun in 18th century Eastern Europe as a token of gratitude toward religious teachers, similar to the custom of tipping service people on Christmas. <ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1133537.html The gelt chronicles, reprinted in [[Haaretz]], from [[The Forward]]]</ref> The candy companies that produced the first chocolate Hanukkah gelt may have been inspired by the chocolate coins called ''geld'' given to children as part of the St. Nicholas holiday in Belgium and the Netherlands.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1133537.html The gelt chronicles, reprinted in [[Haaretz]], from [[The Forward]]]</ref> |
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==Manufacturers== |
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Today most of the chocolate Hanukkah gelt sold in the United States is imported from [[Israel]]. The two major manufacturers are [[Elite]] and [[Carmit]]. <ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1133537.html The gelt chronicles, reprinted in [[Haaretz]], from [[The Forward]]]</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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Revision as of 14:18, 20 December 2009
Hanukkah gelt (Yiddish: Hanukkah money) refers to small sums of money given to Jewish children on the festival of Hanukkah. In the 1920s, Loft's, an American candy company, produced the first chocolate gelt, wrapped in gold or silver foil. [1]
History
Giving Hanukkah gelt appears to be a relatively recent tradition. According to popular legend, it is linked to the miraculous victory of the Maccabeans over the ancient Greeks. To celebrate their freedom, the Hasmoneans minted national coins. [2] It may also have begun in 18th century Eastern Europe as a token of gratitude toward religious teachers, similar to the custom of tipping service people on Christmas. [3] The candy companies that produced the first chocolate Hanukkah gelt may have been inspired by the chocolate coins called geld given to children as part of the St. Nicholas holiday in Belgium and the Netherlands.[4]
Manufacturers
Today most of the chocolate Hanukkah gelt sold in the United States is imported from Israel. The two major manufacturers are Elite and Carmit. [5]
References
- ^ The gelt chronicles, reprinted in Haaretz, from The Forward
- ^ The gelt chronicles, reprinted in Haaretz, from The Forward
- ^ The gelt chronicles, reprinted in Haaretz, from The Forward
- ^ The gelt chronicles, reprinted in Haaretz, from The Forward
- ^ The gelt chronicles, reprinted in Haaretz, from The Forward