On Last Day of Chanukah, Explaining That Money & Jews "Thing"

Many years ago the daughter of a friend of mine was bemoaning all the Christmas shopping she still needed to do, and she said, "I wish I was Jewish, so I could just give money."

It was an uncomfortable thing for me to hear, as it perpetuated this "money thing" with Jews and I said nothing because I didn't know enough about what I didn't know to explain it.

Now I do, and would like to suggest that maybe others also don't know what they don't know, so I am taking this opportunity to explain what I have learned, as a means of creating more esprit de corps among people, of all faiths and human spirit.

There is not a tradition of giving money as if it replaces the thoughtfulness of giving someone a personal gift, and traditionally, no gifts were given at Chanukah, except what is called "gelt," which today is popularized with images of gold coins, and are sold with chocolate treats inside. "Gelt" or money was given to people who could not afford to buy candles to light their menorahs, without shame.

That's really the gist of it, as far as I know. As a Jew, nothing makes me shudder more than any suggestion that Jews are "money grubbing" and I would like to reiterate, what I had said at the time, I don't know any true Jew, of any denomination or religious faith, who wasn't mortified by the crimes committed by Bernie Madoff.

I wish my fellow Jews a Happy Chanukah on this last day until sunset and all Americans a very Merry Christmas in every way they celebrate this holiday season.

Photo Credit & For More Information: https://www.chabad.org/holiday...