Holidays and Special Events
Celebrated over eight nights, this holiday commemorates the rededication of the second temple by the Maccabees after their recapture of it from the Assyrians.
What is Hanukkah?
This is specifically the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. Tradition says that God gave it to Moses on Mount Sinai after the exodus from Egypt.
What is Torah?
This is a set of dietary laws dealing with the foods that Jews are permitted to eat and how those foods must be prepared according to Jewish law.
What is Kosher or Kashrut?
Built an ark and saved all the animals and his family from a horrible flood.
Who was Noah?
This is the second book of the Torah. Starting with the baby Moses being rescued by Pharaoh's daughter, to Moses's revelation at the Burning Bush to the delivery of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, and on to Mt. Sinai where the Torah is received. This book forms a big part of the Jewish identity.
What is "Exodus"?
Celebrated over seven or eight nights (depending on practice), this spring holiday commemorates the Hebrew liberation from slavery in Egypt. The first night of the holiday involves a ritual dinner called a Seder.
What is Passover?
This is a small container affixed to the doorframe of a home. A small paper containing the Shema prayer from the Torah is kept inside.
What is a Mezuzah?
This is a commandment given by God and seen as one's religious duty. Good deeds are often referred to as this as well.
What is a mitzvah?
After Adam and Eve ate from this, they were expelled from the Garden. (Hint: The ___ of ____)
What is the Tree of Knowledge?
This is the is the dispersion (spreading out) of Israelites or Jews from their ancestral homeland (the Land of Israel) to other parts of the globe.
What is the Jewish Diaspora?
This is the day of rest from sundown on Friday evening through after sundown on Saturday evening. Often celebrated with a dinner. Weekly services at synagogues are often attended at this time.
What is Shabbat?
This brimless hat is worn (traditionally by Jewish males, but anyone can wear it) as a sign of respect to the Divine. Orthodox men always wear some sort of covering, while other Jews often only do so during prayer or in synagogue.
What is a kippah or yarmulke?
Literally it means "Listen." This is the first word of the central prayer is the Judaism and is an integral part of daily worship.
What is "Shema"?
Two twin boys, one brawny one brainy, one preferred by dad and the other preferred by mom. One so hungry he's willing to sell his brother his birthright for a bowl of soup, the other willing to trick his dying father to get the blessing meant for his brother.
Who are Jacob and Esau?
A movement and ideology that supports a Jewish state in the Holy Land.
What is Zionism?
This is the two-day New Year celebration. It often involves blowing of the shofar and eating apples dipped in honey to mark a "sweet new year."
What is Rosh Hashanah?
This is a set of black leather straps and small boxes with verses from the Torah inside. They are worn by observant adult Jews during weekday morning prayers. In Orthodox communities, they are worn solely by men, while in liberal Jewish communities, they may be worn by both men and women.
What is Tefillin?
Literally it means “study” or “learn,” but it is the collection Rabbinic stories, arguments, and decisions about Torah that was compiled between approximately 200-500 CE.
What is the Talmud?
His 10 older brothers get tired of his arrogance and sell him into slavery, pretending that he was killed by a wild animal.
Who is Joseph?
This is the collective term for the traditionalist branches of contemporary Judaism. This branch advocates a strict observance of the Jewish law, or Halakha.
What is "Orthodox Judaism"?
This is the most holy day in the Jewish calendar. It involves a fasting, prayer, repentance for one's sins, and charitable gifts.
What is Yom Kippur?
This is the week-long mourning period in Judaism for first-degree relatives. The period lasts for seven days following the burial.
What is Shiva?
The 10 Jewish adults needed for certain Jewish prayers (only men for Orthodox Jews).
What is a minyan?
He grows up in the Pharaoh's house even though he's actually an Israelite.
Who is Moses?
This is the ethnic group of Jews who lived for centuries in central and eastern Europe who are known for such things as bagels, matzo ball soup, and Yiddish.
What is Ashkenazi Jews?