In the spirit of our “Final-ly Chanukah” theme for Chanukah – Finals Week at UAlbany in 2017, we lit a large “Test-Menorah” made up of 4 types of Chanukah Tests. While they may be harder to read on the circular pipes of the Menorah, we’re posting all the questions below, for your study, perusal and enjoyment. The levels of difficulty are all mixed up and may not be equally geared for all learning levels and audience types, so just it give a browse and it can be food for thought…
For more on these types of tests and their parallels in real-life tests and challenges, see this post titled: “This is a Test, but what test type?”
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1) The word Chanukah is Hebrew for:
a) freedom b) dedication c) light d) rested on the 25th e) a & c f) b& d
2) Which Diaspora Dreidel letter isn’t found on Israeli Dreidels:
a) Gimmel b) Hey c) Pey d) Nun e) Shin f) Daled g) Aleph
3) The Chanukah story happened…
a) after the destruction of the Second Temple b) before the rebuilding of the Second Temple c) about midway through the period of the Second Temple
4) The Maccabee Revolt began in a place called…
a) Haifa b) Jerusalem c) Modi’in d) Beitar e) Masada
5) Maccabee is an acrostic for:
a) Jewish Power b) The Strength Belongs to G-d c) The Mighty Hebrew Hammer d) Who is Like You among the Mighty, O’ G-d e) We come in the name of G-d
6) They found enough pure oil to last for…
a) one day b) a week c) eight days d) frying a dozen doughnuts
7) What ensured the purity of the Menorah oil?
a) a pop-up button cap b) the seal of the High Priest c) an inner-foil seal
8) Chanukah Menorahs are also called:
a) Chanukiahs b) Dreidel-Lights c) Lightoliers d) Mikvahs
9) The fight of Chanukah was a battle over:
a) gender inequality b) pro-life vs pro-choice c) religious freedom
10) The Menorah on the Arch of Titus in Rome has…
a) rounded branches b) 8 branches c) a tall Shamash d) all the above
11) Rashi & Rambam depict a Temple Menorah that has…
a) 8 branches b) an extra tall Shamash c) diagonal branches d) all the above
12) The key branches difference between Temple & Chanukah Menorahs is…
a) the number of branches b) the shape of the Menorah c) all the above
13) A key timing difference between Temple & Chanukah Menorahs is…
a) how long it has to burn for b) what time to light it c) all the above
14) Chanukah Gelt can mean…
a) chocolate coins b) real money c) presents d) a&b e) all the above
15) The Syrian-Greeks specifically forbade (circle all that apply):
a) Temple worship b) public prayer c) circumcision d) Shabbat e) Rosh Chodesh e) Passover Seders e) eating Latkes
16) The Syrian-Greek king making all the trouble was…
a) Pharaoh b) Hitler c) Alexander the Great d) Antiochus
TRUE OR FALSE:
1) A Kohain had to be the one to light the Temple Menorah: ___________
2) The Temple Menorah could only be lit with pure Olive Oil: __________
3) Friday Menorah has to burn longer than rest of Chanukah: __________
4) Chanukah Story took place during the Second Temple: __________
5) The Temple’s High Priests were always above reproach: __________
6) It’s a Mitzvah to eat at least one fried food each day of Chanukah: ________
7) There is a Musaf Prayer recited each day of Chanukah: __________
8) Hallel is recited each day of Chanukah: ___________
9) There’s always a Rosh Chodesh during Chanukah: __________
10) There’s a special Torah Reading for Chanukah each day: __________
11) We make 2 blessings on each night, aside for the first: __________
12) Israelis only celebrate 7 nights of Chanukah, while we do 8: __________
13) If placing Menorah in a doorway, it should be on left side: __________
14) There is a requirement to give a new present each night: __________
15) Chanukah candles should be lit after dark: _________
16) It’s OK for Menorah candles to be of varying heights: ______________
17) Chanukah candles have to be lit before Shabbos candles: _____________
18) There is a mystical tradition behind colored candles: ___________
19) A Menorah can’t be higher than 20 cubits tall: ___________
20) “Pirsumei Nissa” means to publicize the miracle: ___________
21) The same blessing is said over latkes & doughnuts: __________
22) Chanukah is only Mitzvah all Jews do deluxest version: ____________
22) Tefillin & Menorah both inhabit the left side: _____________
23) “Al HaNissim” is sung while the candles burn: ____________
24) “Maoz Tzur” highlights a rock: ____________
25) The first giant public Menorah was in San Francisco: ___________
26) In Talmud, a Menorah can excuse liability: ____________
27) If you missed lighting the 1st night, you can’t continue: ___________
28) There’s significance to the 5th Light: _____________
29) The 8th Day of Chanukah has a special name: _____________
FILL-IN-THE-BLANKS
1) Another name for Chanukah Menorah: _____________________
2) _____________ Maccabee is the best known of his brothers.
3) Judith fed an enemy general ______________ to make him thirst wine.
4) ________________ is the winning letter on a Dreidel.
5) In Israel they called a Dreidel, a ____________________.
6) What’s the Hebrew word for Latkes? ___________________.
7) The Hebrew word for jelly-doughnuts? ______________________.
8) How many blessings on first night of Chanukah? ______.
9) What’s the name of the servant candle? _________________.
10) The famous song has a Dreidel made out of ______________.
11) What do Latkes & Doughnuts have in common? ________________________.
12) Kimmel’s book is called: “Herschel and the Chanukah ______________.”
13) Judah Maccabi’s father was named: ______________________.
14) The woman who slew Holefornes and saved the town was: ________________.
15) Chana had ____________ sons, all killed by _____________________________.
16) Which Maccabee brother was trampled by an elephant? _________________.
17) Did the Greeks destroy the oil? What did they do with it? _____________.
18) The laws of Chanukah are in which Talmud tractate? _____________.
19) If you can only afford one: Shabbos Candles or Chanukah Candles?________
20) How many Chanukah candles are in the standard box? __________
21) The Temple the Greeks defiled was located in: ____________________.
22) Jews who went along with the Greeks were called: _________________.
23) Name a Chanukah film/video you’ve seen: _____________________.
24) The Famous 100 Answers are to what Chanukah question? _________________.
25) “Al HaNissim” is said on what other holiday? __________________.
26) Besides prayer, when else do we say Al HaNissim? _________________.
27) Why is there a custom to eat dairy on Chanukah? __________________.
28) Chanukah was a risk to our ___________ while Purim to our ______________.
29) The 25th word in the Torah is _____________.
30) Chanukah is the 25th of ________________.
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
Q. Is Chanukah’s association with the American holiday season good or bad for Chanukah and the Jews?
Q. Chanukah celebrates two miracles, the war and the oil. Which is more important, relevant, celebrated today?