Sephardic Jewry
What is one food that Sephardic Jews are allowed to eat during Pesach that Ashkenazi Jews cannot?
Kitniyot (like rice, beans, and lentils).
Ashkenazi Jews have a unique way of preparing matzah balls for Passover. What are the key ingredients in making traditional Ashkenazi matzah balls?
Matzah meal, eggs, fat (often chicken fat, called schmaltz), and salt. These ingredients are mixed together and formed into dumplings that are boiled and served in chicken soup.
What is the name of the hat worn by many Chassidish men, particularly in Chabad and Breslov communities?
Shtreimel.
What traditional Mizrahi Jewish food is often served during Shabbat meals and is made with eggs, eggplant, and spices?
Sabich.
This Sephardic leader is renowned for his halachic rulings that shaped the practices of Sephardic Jews in Israel and abroad. His famous multi-volume "Yabia Omer" addresses a wide range of Jewish law.
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.
This symbol, often seen in Sephardic jewelry, represents the evil eye and is believed to protect the wearer from harm.
Hamsa
What was the primary language spoken by most Ashkenazi Jews before the widespread adoption of Hebrew and modern languages?
Yiddish, a language that blends German, Hebrew, and various Slavic languages, was the primary language of Ashkenazi Jews.
This Great Sage is often referred to as the leader of Chassidus.
The Baal Shem Tov.
What is the name commonly used to describe the head coverings of Mizrachi women?
Mitpachat.
What was the title of the movement founded by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, and what was its central mission?
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson founded the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, which emphasizes outreach, Jewish education, and bringing Jews closer to Torah observance, wherever they are in the world.
What does the word “Marranos” mean, and what is its significance?
The term "Marrano" is believed to come from the Spanish word for "pig" and was used pejoratively to describe Jews in Spain and Portugal who converted to Christianity during the Inquisition but secretly continued to practice Judaism.
Question: What famous Ashkenazi Jewish work is a comprehensive collection of Jewish law and customs, written by Rabbi Moses Isserles in the 16th century?
The "Mapah", a commentary to the Shulchan Aruch that incorporates Ashkenazi customs into Jewish law, often referred to as the "Rama".
In Chassidish communities, the tradition of holding a Tish is central to the community’s spiritual life. What is a Tish?
A Tish is a special gathering within the Hasidic community, where the Rebbe, or spiritual leader, presides over a meal, often on Shabbat or Yom Tov, though it can also happen on other occasions like the Yahrzeit of a previous Rebbe. The word "Tish" means "table" in Yiddish, and it refers to a table of Torah, song, and prayer, where the Rebbe shares insights from the Torah and his teachings, usually about the weekly parsha or the deeper aspects of Hasidic philosophy.
Mizrahi Jewish communities, particularly those from Iraq and Syria, have a distinct tradition of preparing this sweet treat for Purim. Made from dates and nuts, it is linked to the story of Queen Esther.
Kufta
This legendary Ashkenazi leader was the founding figure of Yeshiva Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, New Jersey, and is known for his contributions to the American Torah world. He strongly believed that the foundation of Jewish survival was Torah study.
Rabbi Aharon Kotler.
What was the historical event that led to the Sephardic Jews' mass expulsion from Spain in 1492, and what was the name of the king and queen responsible for this decree?
The Alhambra Decree issued by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1492 ordered the expulsion of Jews from Spain, which led to the mass migration of Jews to places like Turkey, North Africa, and the Ottoman Empire.
Which city is often referred to as the "Jerusalem of the North" due to its importance as a center of Ashkenazi Jewish learning and culture?
Vilna (now in Lithuania), known for its prominent yeshivas and Jewish intellectual life in the 18th and 19th centuries.
How many branches of Chassidus are there?
27!
Chabad-Lubavitch
What special prayer do Mizrahi Jews recite during Shavuot that differs from Ashkenazi or Sephardic practices?
Tefilat Geshem, the prayer for rain, which Mizrahi communities say as part of the Shavuot festival, focusing on agricultural blessings.
Which Sephardic rabbi was famous for his work on the Shulchan Aruch, specifically his commentary, the Be'er Heitev?
Rabbi Yosef Karo
In Sephardic halachic tradition, what is the halachic reasoning behind the permissibility of eating kitniyot (like rice, beans, and lentils) during Pesach, and why is this practice specifically prohibited in Ashkenazi law?
The halachic basis for Sephardic Jews eating kitniyot stems from an early rabbinic decision not to consider these foods as “chametz,” as they do not ferment in the same way as wheat or barley. The Ashkenazi prohibition was instituted because of a fear that kitniyot might be mixed with actual chametz during the preparation process, especially in communities where grain was scarce.
What significant halachic authority in the 16th century formulated the primary Ashkenazi law on the prohibition of kitniyot on Pesach, and why did he make this ruling?
Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (the Arizal) formulated the ban on kitniyot during Pesach, fearing that grains like rice and beans could be confused with chametz due to their appearance and processing methods.
Which city is traditionally associated with the origins of the Breslov Hasidic movement, founded by Rebbe Nachman?
Uman, in Ukraine, where Rebbe Nachman is buried, and where many Hasidic Jews make a pilgrimage to his tomb during Rosh Hashanah.
Which Mizrahi community is known for specifically eating date dishes on Rosh Hashanah, symbolizing a sweet new year, in a way different from other Jewish communities?
Iraqi Jews are known for preparing a special date dish for Rosh Hashanah as a symbol of a sweet year.
Known for his teachings on joy and the deep significance of hitbodedut, this Chasidic Rebbe is often cited for his spiritual guidance and focus on connecting with Hashem through prayer.
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov.