What does the Hebrew word "Hanukkah" mean?

Dedication. It recalls the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.

The Maccabees revolted against the rule of which empire?

The Seleucid Empire. The Seleucid king Antiochus IV banned Jewish practice and defiled the Temple.

Who led the revolt after the death of the priest Mattathias?

Judah Maccabee. Judah, Mattathias's son, became the military leader of the revolt.

Mattathias and his sons started the revolt in which town?

Modi'in. The revolt began in Modi'in, the family's hometown.

🕎 Hanukkah quiz for adults - history, customs and Talmud

Adults and teens · 16 questions

Think you know the story behind the candles and the latkes? These 16 questions dig into the history, the Talmud and the customs of Hanukkah.

Question 1 of 16 · Score 0

How many nights does Hanukkah last?

📋 All questions with answers (for teachers and parents)

How many nights does Hanukkah last?
Answer: 8. Hanukkah lasts eight nights, with one more candle lit each night.
What does the Hebrew word "Hanukkah" mean?
Answer: Dedication. It recalls the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Maccabees revolted against the rule of which empire?
Answer: The Seleucid Empire. The Seleucid king Antiochus IV banned Jewish practice and defiled the Temple.
Who led the revolt after the death of the priest Mattathias?
Answer: Judah Maccabee. Judah, Mattathias's son, became the military leader of the revolt.
Mattathias and his sons started the revolt in which town?
Answer: Modi'in. The revolt began in Modi'in, the family's hometown.
According to the Talmud, the jar of pure oil found in the Temple was enough for how long?
Answer: One day. The Talmud (Shabbat 21b) says it lasted eight days instead of one.
On which Hebrew date does Hanukkah begin?
Answer: 25 Kislev. Hanukkah starts on the 25th of Kislev.
What is the helper candle used to light the others called?
Answer: Shamash. The shamash ("attendant") is placed apart from the other candles.
Lighting one candle on the first night and adding one each night follows which school?
Answer: Beit Hillel. Jewish law follows Beit Hillel: we go up in holiness, not down.
What did Beit Shammai say about the order of the candles?
Answer: Start with eight and remove one each night. Beit Shammai counted down the days that were left, like the bulls offered on Sukkot.
Outside Israel, the dreidel's letters stand for "A great miracle happened..."
Answer: There. Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin: "Nes gadol haya sham." In Israel, Pe stands for "po" (here).
What are sufganiyot?
Answer: Jelly-filled doughnuts. Foods fried in oil recall the miracle of the oil.
Which books tell the story of the Maccabean revolt?
Answer: 1 and 2 Maccabees. The Books of Maccabees are not part of the Hebrew Bible.
Which ruling dynasty did the Maccabees' family found?
Answer: The Hasmonean dynasty. The Hasmoneans ruled Judea for about a century.
Why is the hanukkiah traditionally placed by a window or the front door?
Answer: To publicize the miracle. The custom is called "pirsumei nisa" - making the miracle known.
Which heroine, who defeated the general Holofernes, is linked to Hanukkah by tradition?
Answer: Judith. Some eat cheese on Hanukkah to remember Judith, who fed Holofernes salty cheese.

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