I was looking at the Sifsei Chaim on Moadim (Chelek Beis) today, and I saw a vort which I’d like to share.
The following was quoted in the name of the Ponovicher Rov.
Why do we give “Chanukah Gelt”? Where does this Minhag come from?
After the Greeks were defeated, we were now able to resume Torah study. But how do you get children to study torah, especially after not have learned Torah for such time? How do you instill within them a desire to learn and show them the sweetness of Torah?
How did they do it? The bribed them with small amounts of money.
The Gra, quoting pirkei avos ???? ??? ???? ?? ????. Money was given to the children who learned, helping them develop a sweetness for Torah. Afterall, they were getting money for it!
Therefore the Chanukah Gelt is a remembrance of the money given to the children in an effort to get them to view learning Torah in a positive light.