A customary gift for Jewish children on Hanukah. The word gelt
comes from Yiddish, meaning "money". Gelt are usually chocolate
coins, wrapped in gold tinfoil (unless it is homemade). Hanukah
gelt can also be real coins.  An explanation of the gelt custom
as told by Rabbi Dovid Cohen:  "The Talmud states that even a
very poor person must light Hanukah lights, even if he can't
afford it. A person with no money is required to go 'knocking on
doors' until he collects enough to buy at least one candle for
each night of Hanukah."  "The Torah concept of charity -
tzeddakah - requires us to help the recipient in the most
dignified manner possible. Therefore, the custom arose to give
gifts of money during Hanukah so that someone who needs extra
money for Hanukah candles can receive it in the form of Hanukah
gelt."  Gelt (?), n. [See 1st Geld.]  Trubute, tax.   All these
the king granted unto them . . . free from all gelts and
payments, in a most full and ample manner. Fuller.   © Webster
1913.  Gelt, n. [See Gelt, v.