Jewish faith, history, and traditions.
Test your knowledge with these top questions!
A mezuzah case traditionally holds which item on a Jewish home's doorpost?
The parchment carries two Torah passages, including the Shema, while the outer case protects it.
Which meaning best matches the Hebrew word "mitzvah"?
English speakers may use "mitzvah" for a good deed, but the Hebrew word literally means "commandment."
Within the Tanakh, which books make up the Torah?
The name "Tanakh" combines initials from Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim, the collection's three sections.
Traditional kashrut separates which two food categories?
Many kosher kitchens use separate dishes for meat and dairy, though Jewish observance varies by person and community.
At many Jewish weddings, what does a ketubah record?
Ketubah designs vary across Jewish communities even though the document serves as a marriage contract.
What does the extra month in a Jewish leap year help accomplish?
Seven times in a 19-year cycle, the calendar adds Adar I to align its lunar months with the solar seasons.
Which blessing over wine traditionally precedes a Shabbat meal?
Kiddush sanctifies Shabbat over wine or grape juice before the meal begins.
Traditional kashrut identifies a potentially kosher land mammal by which two traits?
A pig has split hooves but does not chew cud, so it fails one of the two traditional criteria.
Which Jewish mourning period traditionally begins after burial and lasts seven days?
Holidays and family choices can shorten shiva, so Jewish families do not all observe the full seven days.
In Jewish practice, what is a minyan?
A minyan traditionally numbers ten; Jewish communities differ over which participants count toward the quorum.