Q 01/05

Which book opens the Pentateuch, the five books of Moses?

A) Exodus

B) Genesis

C) Leviticus

D) Numbers

Answer · why

B) Genesis

Genesis is read again each Simchat Torah the moment the final reading of the Pentateuch ends, so the yearly cycle never stops.

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

Friday evening: candles are usually lit 18 minutes before sunset, a custom called 'adding to Shabbat'.

Q 03/05

On a Hanukkah menorah, what is the extra candle used to light the other eight called?

A) Ner tamid

B) Shamash

C) Yahrzeit

D) Chanukiah

Answer · why

B) Shamash

Shamash means 'attendant', and the lights grow by one each night because the House of Hillel's order won out over the House of Shammai's.

Q 04/05

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

A) Purim

B) Sukkot

C) Hanukkah

D) Pesach

Answer · why

A) Purim

Purim takes its name from pur, the lot Haman cast to pick the day 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

Day of Atonement: it was the one day the High Priest could enter the Temple's Holy of Holies.