Judaism Unit test

Question 1

Ashkenazi

Answer 1

A member of one of the two religious divisions of Jews-those of central or eastern European origin. They differ from the Sephardim in their customs, rituals, and dialect.

Question 2

Bar Mitzvah

Answer 2

Ceremony marking new status of 13 year old boy who is now obligated to perform all religious duties of an adult.

Question 3

Bat Mitzvah

Answer 3

Ceremony for girls parallel to other one.

Question 4

Ben

Answer 4

Frequently used in Hebrew names.

Question 5

Cantor

Answer 5

A professional singer who leads the chanting of the prayers. In some synagogues, the cantor often performs with a choir.

Question 6

Diaspora

Answer 6

The dispersion of Jews outside of Israel.

Question 7

Gemara(h)

Answer 7

The second part of the Talmud, consisting of commentary on, and interpretation of, the Mishnah.

Question 8

Hanukkah/Chanukkah

Answer 8

Holiday commemorating the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian Greeks and rededication of the Temple in 165 A.C.E.

Question 9

Hasidism/Chasidism

Answer 9

The sect of the Hasidim.

Question 10

Huppah/Chuppah

Answer 10

The wedding canopy under which the marriage ceremony is performed.

Question 11

Kippah/Yarmulke

Answer 11

The head covering worn by Orthodox and Conservative males.

Question 12

Kosher/Kasher

Answer 12

Conforming to Jewish laws regulating suitability for food. Applied to food.

Question 13

Menorah

Answer 13

A candelabrum. Most ancient symbol of Judaism. A seven-branched menorah was used in the ancient temple.

Question 14

Mezuzah

Answer 14

A rolled parchment containing first two paragraphs of the Shema, inserted into a case which is attached to the right doorposts(s) of the home.

Question 15

Minyan

Answer 15

A minimum of ten adults acquired for congregational worship. Orthodox and some Conservative congregations count only males for this purpose.

Question 16

Mishnah/Mishna

Answer 16

Hebrew code of law compiled around 200 C.E. by Rabbi Judah the Prince. The first part of the Talmud.

Question 17

Mitzvah

Answer 17

Laws prescribed by the Torah and by rabbinic law. Later also used in the sense of “a good deed”.

Question 18

Ner Tamid

Answer 18

A lamp which is always kept burning. Usually hung above the Holy Ark.

Question 19

Passover/Pesach

Answer 19

Festival commemorating the exodus from Egypt.

Question 20

Pentateuch

Answer 20

The Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

Question 21

Purim

Answer 21

Joyous festival commemorating deliverance of Persian Jews from extermination. Holiday marked by costume parties, performance of farces, considerable drinking and revelry.

Question 22

Rabbi

Answer 22

Originally a title of honor when addressing sages. Today, title of anytone graduated from a rabbinical seminary.

Question 23

Rosh Hashanah

Answer 23

Jewish New Year, introduces period of soul-searching and repentance. Marked by special prayer and sounding of the shofar.

Question 24

Seder

Answer 24

Home celebration on the first night of Passover, conducted by family members. The celebration is repeated on the second night by Orthodox, Conservative, and some Reform Jews. Contains prayers, songs, reflections on meaning of freedom and slavery.

Question 25

Sefardi/Sephardi

Answer 25

A member of one of the two major divisions of Jews-those of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern origin.

Question 26

Shavout

Answer 26

Major festival that combines spring festival of “first fruits” with commemoration of giving of Torah at Mt.Sinai

Question 27

Shema/Shemah

Answer 27

The first word of Deut. A major feature of morning and evening prayer service.

Question 28

Shiva

Answer 28

Seven days of mourning following the burial of a close relative.

Question 29

Shofar

Answer 29

A ram’s horn; sounded like a trumpet before and during Rosh Hashanah and the conclusion of Yom Kippur.

Question 30

Sukkot

Answer 30

Fall harvest festival of thanksgiving

Question 31

Tallit

Answer 31

A four-cornered cloth with fringes worn by all male adults at morning services and by those officiating at afternoon and evening services. Not followed by Reform Jews.

Question 32

Talmud

Answer 32

The collection of Jewish law, theology, and legend produced in rabbinic academies in Babylon and Palestine from 200 to 500 C.E.

Question 33

Torah

Answer 33

In narrow sense, the Pentateuch; In extended meaning, all learning which is regarded as linked to the sacred traditions of Judaism.

Question 34

Tzitzit/Tsitsit/Zizit

Answer 34

Fringes of the tallit.

Question 35

Yeshivah

Answer 35

A Talmudic academy.

Question 36

Yiddish

Answer 36

Originally a Jewish dialect of German with a mixture of Hebrew and Slavic words and was written in Hebrew.

Question 37

Yom Kippur

Answer 37

Day of Atonement, a fast day for penitence.

Question 38

Zionism

Answer 38

The modern political movement to reestablish a Jewish state in Palestine.