This week, Rabbi Ron Stern shares some Hanukkah meditations to get you in the spirit of the festival of lights.
As we reflect on the meaning of light, and our power to bring it into the world, we invite you to increase the light this Hanukkah with our Center for Tikkun Olam Hanukkah Give Back Guide.
Gelt wasn’t always that foil covered wafer of chocolate that is the ubiquitous symbol of Hanukkah. In its earliest incarnation gelt was really gelt—coins placed in the hands of the recipient. It was the means for the performance of the essential mitzvah of the holiday.
Centuries ago, the rabbis declared that every person, rich or poor must light the lights and celebrate the Maccabees’ victory. But when the struggle of so many was merely to put food on their plates, candles, oil, wicks, even the Hanukkiah itself was beyond reach. So, the poor were invited to go from house to house, knocking on doors, seeking gelt so they might join the community in lighting the lights. It was the obligation of those within the home to press a coin—gelt—into the deserving hand. No questions asked, both the giver and the recipient were engaged in the collective mitzvah of Hanukkah; each trusted the other to fulfill their assigned roles. Each knew that the holiday celebration would be a bit brighter because of their simple mutual efforts.
No one will knock on your door with their hand out, but you, too, can give your gelt to those who need it most. Visit the Wise Hanukkah Give Back Guide so that you can provide others with much need resources to live their lives with dignity.
— Rabbi Ron Stern