halacha test

Question 1

a. What is the significance of the month of Elul?

Answer 1

The significance is we need to examine our actions from the past year so we can see what we need to work on.

Question 2

b. Why is Elul compared to a lion’s roar?

Answer 2

Because a lion’s roar is strong and loud just like the shofar.

Question 3

c. What are the three things that remove a bad decree?

Answer 3

Prayer, teshuvah and tzedakah.

Question 4

d. How is Teshuva compared to washing a dirty garment?

Answer 4

-Just as washing a garment removes the dirts and stains, teshuva is seen as a way to wash the soul from mistakes.

Question 5

e. What must a person do if they sinned against someone else?

Answer 5

They must ask them for forgiveness and say they’re sorry.

Question 6

Why is it important to forgive someone who asks for
forgiveness?

Answer 6

Because just like God forgives, we need to do the same and forgive others.

Question 7

g. What are the four steps of Teshuva according to Ramban?

Answer 7

Azivat hachet, charatah, vidui, and kabbalat haatid.

Question 8

a. What is the purpose of blowing the Shofar?

Answer 8

1.In order to wake us up to do teshuva
2. When Moshe went up tp Har SInai to get the second set of luchot they blew the shofar so that all of bnei Yisrael would not when Moshe went up and we would not have a repeat of the חֵטְא הָעֵגֶל

Question 9

b. Why do we blow extra blasts on Rosh Hashanah?

Answer 9

To mark the beginning of Jewish New Year and to call the Jewish people and get their attention.

Question 10

c. Why don’t we blow Shofar on Erev Rosh Hashanah?

Answer 10

To show the difference between tekios (shofar blows) that are a minhag to the tekios which are מדאורייתא (from the Torah) or מִן הַתּוֹרָה

Question 11

d. What are the names and sounds of the Shofar blasts?

Answer 11

Tekiah, shevarim, teruah, and tekiah gedolah.

Question 12

e. What material should the Shofar be made of, and why?

Answer 12

The horn of a ram because Abraham, offering his son Isaac in sacrifice, was relieved when God decided that Abraham could sacrifice a ram instead.

Question 13

f. If you cannot find a ram’s horn, what other horn can be used?

Answer 13

You can use another Kosher animal such as an antelope, gazelle, or a goat.

Question 14

g. What does the sound of the Shofar remind us of?

Answer 14

The sound of Mashiach when he’s supposed to come.

Question 15

3. What is Tashlich, and when is it performed?

Answer 15

It is washing off sins by going in a body of water and it’s performed on the afternoon of Rosh Hashana.

Question 15

h. How many Shofar blasts do we blow during Rosh Hashanah?

Answer 15

100-101

Question 16

b. What types of foods are eaten on Rosh Hashanah, and why?

Answer 16

Foods such as pomegranate, apples with honey, beets, leeks, honey cake, and dates.

Question 17

c. What is the significance of eating pomegranates on Rosh Hashanah?

Answer 17

They symbolize fertility and abundance, the fruit’s many seeds represent the 613 commandments in the Torah.

Question 18

d. Why do we avoid eating bitter or sour foods on Rosh Hashanah?

Answer 18

So our year won’t be sour or bitter.

Question 19

e. Why do we wear special clothing on Rosh Hashanah?

Answer 19

To represent purity, a fresh, new year, and repentance. This is the day to start a clean slate for the rest of the year ,

Question 20

f. What do we wish each other after completing Rosh Hashanah prayers?

Answer 20

We wish each other a Happy New Year or L’Shana Tova.

Question 21

a. What is Kaparot, and how is it performed?

Answer 21

-It is performed on Yom Kippur Eve where a person puts chicken or money over their head to show the transfer of sins to the chicken or money,

Question 22

b. What is the purpose of Kaparot?

Answer 22

Kaparot is an atonement ritual where you transfer your sins to the chicken.

Question 23

c. Why do we refrain from eating and drinking on Yom Kippur?

Answer 23

Because we atone for our sins on this day and it needs to be a day of “self denial.”

Question 24

d. List the five restrictions of Yom Kippur.

Answer 24

No eating or drinking, no bathing, no putting oil on the body, no leather shoes, and no physical relations with another.

Question 25

f. What is the purpose of Kol Nidrei on Yom Kippur night?

Answer 25

Kol nidrei means “all vows” and it is to provide a clean slate before asking for forgiveness for our sins.

Question 26

e. Why do we wear white clothing on Yom Kippur?

Answer 26

Because angels wear white clothing.

Question 27

a. What is the main purpose of living in a Sukkah during the holiday of Sukkot?

Answer 27

To symbolize the time the Israelites spent in temporary shelters in the wild after leaving Egypt.

Question 28

b. What are the four species (Arba Minim) used during Sukkot, and what do they represent?

Answer 28

Etrog, lulav, hadass, and aravah,

Question 29

c. Why is it important for the Sukkah to have a roof made of sechach (branches or leaves)?

Answer 29

So you can still see the sky and because the sechach comes from natural materials emphasizing our connection to the natural world and to nature. By using God’s simple materials we are reminded that security comes from him.

Question 30

d. What is the symbolism of inviting the Ushpizin (guests) into the Sukkah?

Answer 30

This represents that our lives and hearts are more connected when we open our home to other guests.

Question 31

e. How does the holiday of Sukkot connect to the themes of trust and faith in Hashem?

Answer 31

The Sukkah is an expression of our trust in God, the same trust we had in the desert when the Israelites fled Egypt.