J. Jeopardy

Ancient Jewish History

100

Founding patriarch of the Israelites

Who is Abraham.

200

After the reign of Solomon, ancient Israel split into 2 kingdoms 

What is Judah and Israel

300

Jerusalem was an ancient capital

What was the Kingdom of Judah?

400

A covenant between God and the Israelites was given at Mount Sinai

What is the Mosaic or Sinai covenant

500

A major event   led to the Babylonian Exile in 586BCE

What was the destruction of the 1st Temple

Passover Facts

100

Matzah is eaten during Passover rather than bread

Why there was not time for bread to rise?

200

There is an overarching theme for Passover

What is freedom?

300

There is a spiritual theme of Passover?

What is becoming a people with a purpose and law?

400

Chametz is more than just leavened bread

What are products made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt that have fermented)

500

Passover is a special Jewish Holiday

What commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as described in the Book of Exodus?

Passover Trivia

100

Matzah symbolizes more than the Israelites' haste in leaving Egypt

What is humility? Matzah is flat or simple and not leaven which is a symbol of pride and ego

200

The day before Passover is special

What is the fast of the 1st born?

300

In 19th century, the story of the Exodus had a special meaning.

What was was used by African-American slaves and abolitionists as a powerful symbol of liberation and hope?

400

Chametz is not always thrown away

What is the temporary sale to a non-Jew through a rabbi, with a contract? After Passover, it is “bought back

500

There are new symbols on the Sedar plate

What is an orange for the LGBTQ+

History of ancient Jews

100

The Patriarchal Period was from  2000–1500 BCE

Who is Abraham?

• The Jewish story begins with Abraham, considered the first patriarch, who entered a covenant with God.
• Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (later renamed Israel) are foundational figures.
• Jacob's 12 sons became the ancestors of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

200

The Sojourn in Egypt was from  1700–1200 BCE

What was famine?

• According to the Bible, the Israelites moved to Egypt due to famine.
• Over time, they were enslaved by the Pharaoh.
• Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt in the Exodus, a defining event in Jewish identity.

300

The Wilderness and Sinai Covenant was for 40 years in  1200 BCE

What was wandering in the desert?

 during this time Moses received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai.

This marked the formalization of the covenant between God and the Israelites, with laws and religious duties

400

Settlement in Canaan / Tribal Confederacy was from  1200–1000 BCE

Why did Joshua lead the Israelites into Canaan. 

• They lived as a loose confederation of tribes governed by Judges (e.g., Deborah, Samson).
• This period was marked by intermittent wars with neighboring peoples like the Philistines.

500

United Monarchy c. 1000–930 BCE 

Who is Saul?

• The tribes united under kings:
• 
  
  • Saul: first king, ruled during turbulent times.
  • David: established Jerusalem as the capital.
  • Solomon: built the First Temple in Jerusalem.

Ancient Jews continued

100

FRom 930 to 722 BCE the kingdom was divided

What is Israel and Judah?

• Israel was conquered by Assyria in 722 BCE; the 10 tribes were exiled and lost (the “Lost Tribes of Israel”).

200

The Jewish Diaspora began in this period. 

What is the Babylonian exile?

Babylonian Exile (722–538 BCE)

• Judah survived longer but was conquered by Babylon in 586 BCE.
• The First Temple was destroyed, and many Jews were exiled to Babylon.
• This period marked the beginning of the Jewish Diaspora and the development of synagogues and a more portable Judaism.

300

The Persian Period from 538-332 BCE was notable for a new building

What is the 2nd Temple?

• Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon and allowed Jews to return and rebuild the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
• This period saw a strengthening of Jewish religious identity and texts (e.g., Torah canonization).

400

The origin of Chanukah or the festival of lights occurred during this period 

What is Maccabean Revolt and Hasmonean Rule (164–63 BCE)

• The Jews, led by the Maccabees, revolted against Greek-Syrian rule (Seleucids), reclaiming and rededicating the Temple (celebrated in Hanukkah).
• Established the Hasmonean dynasty, an independent Jewish kingdom for about 100 years.

500

The long Jewish Diaspora began 

What is the Bar Kokhba revolt? 

Roman Rule was from 63 to 70 BCE when 2nd Temple was destroyed.

12. Bar Kokhba Revolt and Aftermath (132–135 CE)

• A final revolt against Rome, led by Simon Bar Kokhba, was crushed.
• Jews were banned from Jerusalem; many were killed or exiled.

This marked the start of the long Jewish Diaspora, with communities forming across the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa