Q 01/05

Which five-book collection opens the Hebrew Bible and is also called the Pentateuch?

A) Torah

B) Talmud

C) Mishnah

D) Zohar

Answer · why

A) Torah

The five books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, also called the Five Books of Moses.

Q 02/05

On which day of the week does Shabbat begin at sunset?

A) Thursday

B) Friday

C) Saturday

D) Sunday

Answer · why

B) Friday

Jewish days run sunset to sunset, so Shabbat ends when three stars appear on Saturday night.

Q 03/05

How many nights does Hanukkah last?

A) Three

B) Five

C) Seven

D) Eight

Answer · why

D) Eight

It begins on the 25th of Kislev and commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple after the Maccabean Revolt.

Q 04/05

Which holiday celebrates Queen Esther saving the Jews from the vizier Haman?

A) Purim

B) Sukkot

C) Shavuot

D) Pesach

Answer · why

A) Purim

Its name means 'lots', after the lots Haman cast to pick the date of his planned massacre.

Q 05/05

What is the common English translation of Yom Kippur?

A) Day of Remembrance

B) Day of Rest

C) Day of Atonement

D) Day of Judgment

Answer · why

C) Day of Atonement

It falls on the tenth of Tishrei and is marked by a roughly 25-hour fast.