Chanukah Jeopardy

Meaning

100

In English, Chanukah has two names. The Festival of ____ and the Festival of ____?

• Festival of Lights and Festival of Dedication

200

What does the Hebrew word Chanukah mean?

Dedication

300

Why do we light Chanukah lights?

• To recall the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days when the Temple was rededicated.

400

What Hebrew letters are on the four sides of the dreidel? What do they mean in English?

• Nun (none), gimmel (get all), hey (get half), shin (share-put one into the pot)

500

True or False- Chanukah is mentioned in the Torah?

• False. Chanukah is the only Jewish holiday not mentioned in the 24 books of the Bible. That’s because the canon was sealed by the Men of the Great Assembly, who flourished two centuries before the Chanukah miracle

History

100

What historical event does Chanukah commemorate?

• The Israelites struggle for religious freedom against the Syrian Greeks

200

Who was the Syrian-Greek ruler who tried to pull Jews away from Judaism?

• Antiochus Epiphanes

300

Who was the first US president to celebrate Hanukkah at the White House?

• Harry Truman. In 1951, he accepted a Menorah as a gift from the Prime Minister of Israel, David Ben Gurion.

400

How many lamps did the menorah in the Temple have?-

7

500

How many sons of Matisyahu (also called Mattathias) fought the Greeks?

• Judah, Eliezer, Simon, Jonathan, and Yohanan. Judah led the revolt

Celebration

100

For how many days do we celebrate Chanukah?

8

200

What is the name of the spinning top that the children play with on Chanukah?

Dreidel

300

According to the English lyrics of 'The Dreidel Song' which children sing at Hanukkah, out of what material is a dreidel made?

Clay

400

During which Hebrew month do we celebrate Chanukah? On which day?

• Kislev, on the 25th day

500

The sixth day of Chanukah is the first day of which new Hebrew month?

Tevet

Food

100

What is another name for the potato pancakes we eat during Chanukah?

Latkes

200

What is the name for the jelly donuts that we eat during Chanukah?

• Sufganiyot

300

What two foods are traditionally linked to the Chanukah miracle?

oil and potato 

400

What is the name of the money or chocolate candy given to children during Chanukah?

Gelt

500

Why are the traditional foods cooked in oil?

• To reminisce about the oil that lasted 8 days in the temple  

Menorah

100

In which direction do you light the menorah, once the candles have been placed?

left to right

200

What is the name of the candle that is used to light the others?

Shamash

300

How long are the Chanukah candles to burn?

• Until at least 30 minutes post sunset

400

On the first night of Chanukah how many blessing are said before the lights are kindled?

3

500

How many candles do we light for all of Chanukah (hint total up all days)?-

44