Hebrew Bible
How many sections of the Tanach (the Hebrew Bible) are there?
Three
They are: Torah; Neviim (Prophets); Ketuvim (Writings)
Who was the first Jewish man?
Abraham
Name the braided bread consumed on Shabbat and other holidays
Challah
Name at least items 2 items that are used on Shabbat or Havdalah
Kiddush cup, shabbat candlestick holders, hand-washing cup (netilat yadaim), challah cutting board and cover, havdalah candle and candle holder, havdalah spice box.
What does "Havdalah" mean?
This ceremony separates the holy time of Shabbat or Yom Tov from the rest of the week.
How many BOOKS are there in the Torah?
Five
They are: Genesis (Bereshit), Exodus (Shemot), Leviticus (Vayikra), Numbers (Bamidbar), Deuteronomy (Devarim)
What does Israel mean?
"Strove with G-d"
Also okay: wrestled with G-d, fought with G-d, contends with G-d, triumphant with G-d, G-d contended, etc.
Why do we consume foods fried in oil on Hanukkah?
To remember the oil that lit the menorah in the Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees rededicated it.
What makes a Chanukkiah distinct from the menorah that was in the Temple in Jerusalem?
The Chanukkiah is a lamp made with branches for 8 candles as well as a shamash (nine candles total), while the Temple menorah had 7 branches total.
Sukkot
How long does it take to read through the Torah once in services?
1 year. The Torah is divided into weekly readings, and every Simchat Torah, we finish the Torah and begin it again.
Also an acceptable answer: 3 years. Some communities divide each Torah parshah into 3 parts, and read one third of each section each week.
How many sons did Jacob have?
12 (also at least 1 daughter, Dinah).
Describe how food is eaten on Sukkot
Food is eaten in a sukkah (hut/booth) on Sukkot.
It is also often traditional to eat fresh fruits and fall-harvest produce.
How are Israeli dreidels different from dreidels in the diaspora (outside Israel)?
What is the mitzvah of "Tzedakah"?
Donating to those less fortunate.
This means "Justice" not "Charity." This is a commandment and an obligation, not just a voluntary thing we do when we feel generous.
Which section of the Tanach are Haftarah readings from? (REMEMBER: Each week, a haftarah reading is paired with and read after the Torah parshah).
What is the Cave of Machpelah?
The name of the cave where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Leah are all buried.
What were the original latkes made with (not potatoes)
Cheese
This honored the Jewish heroine Judith, who killed the general Holofernes.
Name at least two items used for the holiday of Sukkot
Lulav, etrog, sukkah
What is "Tikkun Olam"?
"Repairing the World"
This has become a catchphrase for social justice in contemporary Jewish life. It means that it is our responsibility as humans to try and make the world better and more just than it is now.
We've covered many Torah portions Bereshit through this Fall. How are the NAMES of Torah portions determined?
Torah portions are named after the first word/words (or one of the first words) in the parshah.
Name at least 3 biblical figures who have at least two names in the Hebrew Bible.
Abraham (renamed from Avram)
Sarah (renamed from Sarai)
Israel (renamed from Jacob)
Joseph (a.k.a. Zaphnat-Paneah)
ALSO Possible:
Esther (renamed from Hadassah)
Daniel (a.k.a. Belteshazzar)
Name at least 3 Rosh Hashanah Simanim (symbolic foods)
Apples (sweet new year), honey (also sweet), pomegranates (one of the 7 species, and a "new fruit"), carrots (wordplay on "decree"), beets or spinach (wordplay on "remove"), black-eyed peas or fenugreek (wordplay on "increase"), heads of fish/sheep/cabbage/garlic, etc (wordplay on Rosh Hashanah), fish (symbolic of vigilance), leeks (wordplay on "cut"), gourds (wordplay on "rip" AND "announce"), dates (wordplay on "end")
How many species of plants make up the lulav and etrog set?
4 Species:
Etrog (citron) = heart; Lulav (date palm) = spine; Hadass (myrtle) = eyes; Aravah (willow) = lips
What is the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim?
Hint: It has come into special focus during pandemics present and past,
Visiting the Sick