Set 6

Question 1

What type of cycle does the Jewish calendar follow?

Answer 1

A lunisolar cycle, with months following the moon and years adjusted to the solar cycle.

Question 2

What is Tisha B’Av and what does it have in common with Yom Kippur?

Answer 2

A fast day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples. Both are solemn days of fasting.

Question 3

What is Rosh Hodesh?

Answer 3

The beginning of a new Hebrew month, marked by a minor festival.

Question 4

How many months does the Jewish calendar have?

Answer 4

12 or 13 months; a 13th month is added 7 times in a 19-year cycle to keep the calendar in sync with the solar year.

Question 5

Which is the first month of the year?

Answer 5

Nisan in the religious calendar; Tishrei in the civil calendar.

Question 6

How many different New Years does the Jewish calendar have?

Answer 6

Four: 1) Rosh Hashanah, 2) Tu B’Shvat, 3) the first of Nisan, 4) the first of Elul (for tithing animals).

Question 7

What is Tu B’Shvat?

Answer 7

The New Year for trees, a day typically associated with ecological awareness and tree planting.

Question 8

What is the Omer?

Answer 8

A 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot during which Jews count each day, commemorating the offering of the omer during Temple times.