From Hasmonean Coins to Hanukkah Gelt

Did the Maccabees mint coins? Their descendants, who became a royal family,  did. Not the yummy chocolate gelt pictured here. But have a look at these Hasmonean coins, and the front and back of this bronze prutah (BTW: the prutah coin was reintroduced shortly after the modern State of Israel was established).

Those Maccabees and their Hasmonean dynasty -- they really knew how to make a killing. Clearly, folks were ready to bet their money on them. Could it be that's why we give children Hanukkah gelt?

Maybe. While the word on the street is that the custom of giving Hanukkah gelt is rooted in Eastern Europe, I just discovered that some historians believe the practice does indeed connect to the Maccabees' minting of coins after they restored political autonomy to the Jewish people. It makes sense. The Hanukkiah reminds us of the burning oil miracle. Why shouldn't Hanukkah gelt remind us of self-rule?

Even if Hasmonean coins are NOT the source of this custom, detectives of Jewish religious law -- Halakha -- discovered that Rabbi Josef Caro, author of the Shulchan Aruch,  declared that the light given forth by the Hanukkiah's candles can only be used for one specific purpose: recalling the miracle of the oil. Counting one's money by the light of the candles was forbidden. To remember this prohibition, Hanukkah money was distributed.

Here's another interesting detective tidbit. The Talmud states that on Hanukkah every Jewish household must light at least one candle per night, even if they are poor and have to go door-to-door asking for candle money. To eliminate this embarrassment, a custom evolved of giving Hanukkah gelt to the poor.

So,  thank you Belgium for your premium chocolate used to mint our Hanukkah gelt. And thank you to all the manufacturers issuing these yummy coins. But most of all, thank you to all the Jewish history and halakha detectives who discovered the roots of this delectable custom.

Hanukkah Sameach.


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I've Launched My Virtual Author Visits

Hi Everyone:
Two weeks ago I talked about my new book Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles. I am pleased to report that I just did a virtual book reading of this new title via Skype with the second grade of Congregation Beth Hatikva's Religious School, located in Summit, New Jersey. As you can see in the photos, 2nd grade teacher Danielle Weiner  held up a copy of the book as I read the story. Afterwards, the students asked me to explain what autism is. We then discussed what it would be like to have a boy like Nathan in their class and how they would befriend him. I was very impressed with their warmth and willingness to accept someone different into their midst.

I want to thank Nancy Hersh, Beth Hatikva's Educational Director, for organizing this virtual visit, sending me these photos, and reporting that "this was an experience the students won't forget."

Interested in a Virtual Visit? Read all about it and contact me. I'll be happy to book a date and meet your students.
Tami

Hanukkah is Called Januca in Mexico

Yup. The census people are right -- Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic group in America. On my recent author tour to the United States, Spanish was in the air, everywhere. So, Hola everybody. This week I'm going to take you to Mexico, where Hanukkah is called Januca, and where our traditional dreidel game has a twin counterpart called Toma Todo or La Pirinola.

Mexican Jews know how to give Hanukkah a fun spin. No latkes or sugar doughnuts for them.  They eat a homemade favorite called bimuelos -- fried fritters drenched in either sugar or syrup (yes, you can forget a heathy diet on Hanukkah) -- or corn dough balls with marmalade inside. Ooo...so many sticky fingers make for lots of laughs. But the real fun begins with making a dreidle shaped pinata and ends with banging it apart (as seen in this photo) and treated to a shower of sweets and toys.
Need I say more about Hanukkah party ideas?
O.K. One more.
Since Spanish is America's second language, sneak in a little Hanukkah lesson in Spanish while you're breaking the dreidel pinata.
Feliz Januca. Happy Hanukkah everybody.


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