Hanukka: The spotlight shines on money

The holiday of Hanukka starts in a few days. This year in the run-up to the holiday, certain Knesset members who know better than the rest of us have been railing against the consumption of sufganiot (doughnuts) – because it is a well-known fact that the consumption of a few of these treats will be the end of good health as we know it, not!

I find it rather interesting that digesting a few extra calories for a week is what consumes these “big brother” types and that another message from the holiday goes completely unnoticed. Maybe it’s because these vary same people are responsible for adding tens of millions of shekels to our national debt every year and have no concept on what financial responsibility even means.

I am going to repeat a theme that I write about every year, and that’s how we should use Hanukka to teach children about responsible money habits.

A month ago, consumers around the world were blitzed with Black Friday and Cyber Monday advertisements. They were urged to whip out their plastic and start shopping because, well, everything is on sale. Do you need the item? Can you afford it? Hey it doesn’t matter: It’s a Black Friday “doorbuster deal,” and you can always pay with debt!

The proximity of this global shopping spree with Hanukka can serve as a reminder about how we must educate our children (maybe ourselves as well) with respect to money. After all, what kind of message does it send to our children when the pinnacle of the year for their parents – when they display the most excitement and passion – is for shopping?

Of course it’s not just Black Friday. Children are confronted with some very negative messages regarding money. Spend money, buy things, and you will have happiness. We are continually sold the fantasy that more and more things bring bliss. But it just isn’t true. After all, how many of us have closets full of toys that our kids “needed to have” only to find them sitting covered in dust.

We need to fight against this prevailing culture of fiscal irresponsibility and teach our children the proper role of money. I understand it’s not easy – after all, from the government on down, spending money that one doesn’t have has become a global pastime.

Start teaching by using the message found in Hanukka gelt! What does it teach?

Why Hanukka gelt?

There are many opinions as to the reason of Hanukka gelt. According to the Magen Avram, the custom of giving Hanukka gelt enabled the poor to get the money needed to buy candles without feeling shame.

I have another answer. The concept of giving Hanukka gelt is conveyed in a passage in the Code of Jewish Law (Shulhan Aruch), where it states: “It is forbidden to derive any benefit from the lights of the Hanukka menorah... even to use the light to count your money.”

We may ask why the phrase “count your money” is used here specifically. The reason for this is found within the word Hanukka, which is the root of the Hebrew word chinuch, education. Hanukka is a time when we celebrate the Jewish people prevailing over the Greek Hellenists, who sought the spiritual destruction of the Jewish people. Today, this culture is based on consumerism and instant physical gratification, and it is as much of a threat to our existence today as Hellenism was to the Jewish people then. The symbol of this culture is money.

A child needs to know where money comes from. To a child, it seems as if money is always available. When their parents run out of money, they simply go to a small machine in the wall, punch in a few numbers and take out even more money. It’s magic.

For this reason, the first thing to tell our children to do when they receive Hanukka gelt is to give charity. Then we should talk to them about saving. Ask your child what she would like to use her money for. If she wants to buy an Xbox or a bicycle, explain that she should save up her money. Children need to understand that money is earned through honest hard work. With older children, long-term savings can be discussed. Money earned from babysitting or waiting tables can be invested.

For this reason, we give Hanukka gelt to educate our children about the importance of giving charity and doing good deeds. They need to learn that this money should be used for constructive purposes and that the pursuit of money for its own sake is not the point of our existence. Rather, the reason we have merited money is to use it for positive purposes that will benefit other people.

Teaching our children good money habits is a good way to beat back the forces of the modern-day Hellenists and internalize the message of Hanukka.

The information contained in this article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., or its affiliates.

aaron@lighthousecapital.co.il

Aaron Katsman is a licensed financial professional in Israel and the United States who helps people with US investment accounts. He is the author of the book Retirement GPS: How to Navigate Your Way to a Secure Financial Future with Global Investing.