Oomis how apropos that your questions come this week of parshas Toldos with the very important questions of our uncle Eisov, how do you maaser salt. However, given the level of our current avodas Hashem, your questions are truly “burning” in my mind as I seek answers.
1. Each of these has a different shiur. And one problem is the type of latke or jelly donut being eaten. We all know that homemade latkes are much smaller and generally crispier than store bought. Therefore I think the response to the shiur should be based on homemade latkes. The “normal” latke prepared at home is approximately 5 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide. This consists of the potato mixture that 2 tbs. will flatten out to as it fries. Such latkes without anything on them or with only sugar, the shiur would be as many as you could eat in 6 minutes. The real issue with the shiur is that most people eat their latkes with something on them. Generally this would be applesauce (minhag America), sour cream (minhag Galitzia), or a jam or preserve (universal minhag). Such latkes take longer to eat and therefore the supposed shiur would be longer. However, the chachomim at the time of the Chanuka miracle did not contemplate on shuch differences and therefore did not establish a specific shiur. Since each generation and culture might add to the latke experience, it was left to the LOR of each time to establish a shiur.
2. The Chashmanoim minted many coins. Since Chanuka gelt, as in the case of latkes, have different meanings in each culture and time, the chachomim here to left it to the LOR. The general consensus over the generations was to give Chanuka gelt in accordance with the lifestyle of the family rather than a national religious shiur.
3. We are definitely yotzei with the father’s shehecheyonu on the Chanuka lighting of the 1st night. This halocho is similar to that of the brocho on Succos. The brocho for kiddush also covers the succoh. Also, the shehecheyonu of Rosh Hashono kiddush covers the brocho for the new fruit eaten on the 2nd night.
Any other questions or issues wlll be responded to in a similar manner. However I suggest that these answers might be reiterated to your family during your Purim seuda.