1
What are the 4 letters on a dreidel?
Nun, Gimmel, Hay, Shin
(Nun, Gimmel, Hay, Pay are on an Israeli dreidel)
True or false: in the book of Maccabees, the holiday is called Chanukah.
False.
Is a family allowed to light more than one Chanukiah/Chanukah Menorah?
Yes.
What year, on the calendar we use – it’s 2020 – did the events of Chanukah begin? a. 200 CE, b. 168 BCE, c. 168 CE, d. 200 BCE
b
What is the translation of Chanukah?
a. Lights, b. Dedication, c. Victory, d. Oil
b. Dedication
What Hebrew words do the 4 letters on the dreidel stand for?
Neis Gadol Haya Sham
True or false: On Chanukah, Jews are commanded to light one candle on the first night, 2 candles on the 2nd night, etc., not counting the Shamash candle.
False. Lighting more candles each night is a tradition that came later.
Are women obligated to light Chanukah candles?
Yes, because they were included in the miracle.
Can you read using the Chanukah candles for light?
No. They can only be used for ritual illumination.
When is the 1st day of Chanukah?
a. the 25th of Kislev, b. the 2nd Thursday in December, c. the first day of Tishrei, d. one week before the winter solstice
a. The 25th of Kislev
What is the correct Hebrew spelling of Chanukah?
chet, nun, kaf, hay
Talmudic Rabbis Hillel and Shammai had different opinions. One said we should light 8 candles the first night of Chanukah, 7 the 2nd night, etc.; the other said we should light 1 candle the first night, 2 the 2nd night, etc. Which Rabbi’s opinion do we follow?
Rabbi Hillel. He said more candles would increase the holiness as the 8 days progressed.
Which is the reason from the Books of Maccabees that we light 8 candles?
a. the Jews found 8 statues of Zeus when they cleaned the Temple; b. the war lasted 8 years; c. they had been fighting in the mountains during the 8-day holiday of Succot and couldn’t visit the Temple, when they won the war, they celebrated Succot; d. No reason is given. All we know is that the oil lasting 8 days is a story the Rabbis wrote much later.
c
What is the name of the village where the Maccabees started their rebellion?
a. Maccabees, b. Matiyahu, c. Judah, d. Modin
d.
Why are dreidels associated with Chanukah?
a. the spinning reminds us that life is a cycle, b. so children will remember the miracle, c. Jews were studying Torah in hidden caves when it was illegal; when the soldiers found them, they said they were gambling with the little tops, d. the game with a top was played at the time, we just added the Hebrew letters
c
When Judah Maccabee rededicated the Temple, did he say we had to celebrate by kindling lights?
No. We are supposed to celebrate with "mirth and gladness".