Sukkot
What is a sukkah?
A wooden structure Jews live in during Sukkot
What is Hannukah?
The Jewish Festival of Lights
What is the Ma’ariv Aravim?
A prayer Jews say at night.
What is a ritual?
Something that marks time.
What do we shake on sukkot?
A Lulav and Etrog
How long is Hannukah? Why do we celebrate for that length of time?
Hannukah is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the oil that lasted for eight days rather than the one that the Macabees thought it would.
When is the Ma'ariv Aravim said?
When do we say the Torah blessings?
Before and after we read torah.
What do the things we shake on sukkot represent?
They represent the different parts of the body.
What event does Hannukah commemorate?
The Maccabees rebelling against the greeks, and even though the Greeks destroyed the temple, Jewish peoplehood persisted.
What story does the name originate from?
The Jacob and Esau story
How many parts are there to the Torah blessings?
In what direction do we shake the items? Why?
We shake the items front, back, left and right to represent that God is all around us.
Is Hannukah a biblical holiday? What text is the holiday found in?
No, Hannukah is found in the book of Macabees.
What does the phrase Ma'ariv Aravim mean?
One who evenings the evening.
What is the first line of the Torah blessings?
Ba'rchu et adonai hamvorach
What is important to remember when building the roof of the sukkah?
The slats must be far enough to see the stars but close enough to keep out the rain.
Hannukah means dedication because the Macabees rededicated the temple after it was destroyed.
Why is it important to be grateful for darkness?
Darkness is an important part of ecological and cultural systems.
What is significant about reading torah?
It is a tradition that has been passed down from Jewish generation to generation.