🍯 Rosh Hashanah
What fruit is traditionally dipped in honey on Rosh Hashanah?
An apple
What animal's horn is traditionally used to make a shofar?
A ram
What holiday comes five days after Yom Kippur?
Sukkot
What is the name for Jews whose ancestors lived primarily in Central and Eastern Europe?
Ashkenazi Jews.
What does Mazel Tov literally mean?
Good fortune / good constellation, rather than simply “congratulations.”
What shape of challah is traditionally eaten by many Ashkenazi Jews on Rosh Hashanah?
A round challah.
How many basic types of shofar sounds are traditionally identified?
Three — Tekiah, Shevarim and Teruah.
Which Jewish holiday is known as the Festival of Lights?
Chanukah
What language historically developed among Ashkenazi Jewish communities and uses the Hebrew alphabet?
Yiddish.
The Hebrew word Teshuvah (תשובה) comes from the root ש־ו־ב. What basic idea is associated with this root?
Returning / going back.
What does Rosh Hashanah literally mean?
Head of the Year.
What is one traditional interpretation of the shofar's purpose?
It is a wake-up call — encouraging people to reflect and return to the right path.
Which holiday commemorates the Exodus from Egypt?
Pessah
What language historically developed among many Sephardi Jewish communities?
Ladino (Judeo-Spanish).
What does “Kol Hakavod” (כל הכבוד) literally mean?
“All the honor.”
It is used to mean “Well done!” / “Good for you!”
How many days are there between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?
Ten days, including Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Which shofar sound is one long, continuous blast?
Tekiah.
Which Jewish holiday is traditionally described as the holiest day of the Jewish year?
Yom Kippur
What is the Hebrew word for charity or charitable giving?
Tzedakah — צדקה.
What does “Yasher Koach” (יישר כוח) literally mean, and when might you hear it?
Literally something like “May your strength be straight/strong.” It is commonly said to congratulate or acknowledge someone after performing a mitzvah, leading a service, reading Torah, or doing something commendable.
What is the name of the ceremony in which people traditionally go to a body of water and symbolically cast away their wrongdoings?
Tashlich
What is the one day of the year when the shofar is traditionally not blown, even though it falls during Rosh Hashanah?
When Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat.
There are four Jewish “New Years” mentioned in the Mishnah. What is the New Year for trees?
Tu BiShvat.
What is the name of the Jewish language that was historically spoken by many Jews in Babylon and is still used extensively in Jewish religious texts?
Aramaic.
The Hebrew name ראש השנה (Rosh Hashanah) contains the word ראש (rosh). Besides “head,” what other meaning can rosh have in Hebrew?
Beginning, first, or leader/chief.