Explore 101+ fascinating Jewish trivia questions and answers across history, religion, culture, and more to test your knowledge and learn something new.
Jewish culture and history span thousands of years, touching every continent and influencing countless civilizations. From ancient prophets to modern Nobel laureates, Jewish heritage has played a significant role in shaping the world. Whether you’re a student of religion, a curious reader, or someone preparing for a Jewish-themed trivia night, this article offers you a treasure trove of 101+ Jewish trivia questions and answers.
We’ll break this down into categories like Jewish holidays, famous figures, the Torah, Jewish food, Israel, and more. Each question is followed by its answer and brief context to enrich your knowledge.
Jewish Trivia Questions and Answers
Dive into the rich and diverse world of Jewish culture, history, and tradition with this collection of 101 trivia questions. From ancient holidays and sacred texts to modern Israeli life and culinary delights, this journey offers a fascinating glimpse into the many facets of Jewish life. Whether you’re testing your knowledge, learning something new, or looking for a fun educational activity, these questions are designed to intrigue and inspire. Let’s begin!
Jewish Holidays
Q: What is the Jewish New Year called?
A: Rosh Hashanah
Q: On what holiday do Jews fast for 25 hours?
A: Yom Kippur
Q: What are the three pilgrim festivals in Judaism?
A: Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot
Q: What is the name of the eight-day festival of lights?
A: Hanukkah
Q: What food is traditionally eaten on Hanukkah?
A: Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (donuts)
Q: What is the holiday that celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai?
A: Shavuot
Q: What holiday is celebrated with a festive meal called a Seder?
A: Passover
Q: What is the name of the small, temporary hut built during Sukkot?
A: Sukkah
Q: What is the Jewish day of rest, which begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday?
A: Shabbat
Q: What is the holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman in the ancient Persian Empire?
A: Purim
Jewish History
Q: Who is considered the father of the Jewish people?
A: Abraham
Q: What is the name of the first temple in Jerusalem, which was built by King Solomon?
A: The First Temple (Solomon’s Temple)
Q: Who led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt?
A: Moses
Q: What is the name of the Jewish kingdom that was divided into two in 930 BCE?
A: The Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah
Q: What is the name of the Roman Emperor who destroyed the Second Temple in 70 CE?
A: Titus
Q: Who was the queen of Persia who saved the Jewish people from Haman?
A: Queen Esther
Q: What is the name of the Jewish resistance group that fought against the Romans at Masada?
A: The Sicarii
Q: What is the name of the Jewish medieval sage and physician who wrote “The Guide for the Perplexed”?
A: Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon)
Q: What is the name of the movement that led to the creation of the State of Israel?
A: Zionism
Q: In what year was the modern State of Israel established?
A: 1948
Jewish Culture and Traditions
Q: What is the Hebrew word for “hello” and “goodbye”?
A: Shalom
Q: What is a Bar Mitzvah?
A: A coming-of-age ceremony for a Jewish boy at age 13
Q: What is a Bat Mitzvah?
A: A coming-of-age ceremony for a Jewish girl at age 12
Q: What is the name of the prayer shawl worn by Jewish men during prayer?
A: Tallit
Q: What is the small, black leather box containing biblical verses, worn on the arm and head during prayer?
A: Tefillin (phylacteries)
Q: What is the name of the ritual fringe worn by Jewish men on a four-cornered garment?
A: Tzitzit
Q: What is the Jewish dietary law called?
A: Kashrut
Q: What is the name of the Jewish mystical tradition?
A: Kabbalah
Q: What is a Jewish wedding canopy called?
A: Chuppah
Q: What is the name of the scroll containing the first five books of the Hebrew Bible?
A: Torah
The Hebrew Bible (Tanakh)
Q: What are the three main sections of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh)?
A: Torah (Teaching), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings)
Q: What is the first book of the Torah?
A: Genesis (Bereshit)
Q: What is the name of the mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments?
A: Mount Sinai
Q: What is the name of the ark that Noah built to survive the flood?
A: Noah’s Ark
Q: What is the name of the giant that David defeated with a slingshot?
A: Goliath
Q: Who was the first king of Israel?
A: Saul
Q: Who was the second king of Israel, known for his psalms?
A: David
Q: What is the name of the wise king who built the First Temple?
A: Solomon
Q: Who was the Jewish prophet who was swallowed by a large fish?
A: Jonah
Q: What is the name of the book in the Torah that describes the Exodus from Egypt?
A: Exodus (Shemot)
Famous Jewish People
Q: Who was the first and only female prime minister of Israel?
A: Golda Meir
Q: Who was the German-born physicist who developed the theory of relativity?
A: Albert Einstein
Q: Who was the Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis?
A: Sigmund Freud
Q: Who was the author of “The Diary of a Young Girl”?
A: Anne Frank
Q: Who was the American composer of “Rhapsody in Blue”?
A: George Gershwin
Q: Who was the American comedian and actor known for his roles in “Annie Hall” and “Manhattan”?
A: Woody Allen
Q: Who was the American director of “Schindler’s List” and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”?
A: Steven Spielberg
Q: Who was the Russian-American writer and professor known for his science fiction and popular science books, such as “Foundation” and “I, Robot”?
A: Isaac Asimov
Q: Who was the American singer-songwriter and Nobel Prize laureate?
A: Bob Dylan
Q: Who was the Israeli-American actress known for her role as Wonder Woman?
A: Gal Gadot
Jewish Synagogue and Rituals
Q: What is the Jewish house of worship called?
A: Synagogue or Shul
Q: What is the Hebrew name for the ark where the Torah scrolls are kept?
A: Aron Kodesh
Q: What is the elevated platform in a synagogue from which the Torah is read?
A: Bimah
Q: What is the eternal light that hangs in front of the ark in a synagogue?
A: Ner Tamid
Q: What is the name of the prayer book used in a synagogue?
A: Siddur
Q: What is the name of the person who leads the prayers in a synagogue?
A: Cantor or Hazzan
Q: What is the name of the small, embroidered skullcap worn by Jewish men?
A: Kippah or Yarmulke
Q: What is the name of the scroll containing the book of Esther, read on Purim?
A: Megillah
Q: What is the blessing over wine called?
A: Kiddush
Q: What is the ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat?
A: Havdalah
Jewish Proverbs and Sayings
Q: What is the meaning of the Hebrew phrase “L’chaim”?
A: To life!
Q: What is the meaning of the Hebrew phrase “Mazel Tov”?
A: Good luck or Congratulations!
Q: What is the Yiddish word for a person who is a know-it-all but has no real wisdom?
A: Nudnik
Q: What is the Yiddish word for a small gift or tip?
A: Trinkgeld
Q: What is the Yiddish word for a person who complains or whines a lot?
A: Kvetch
Q: What is the Yiddish word for a mess or a mix-up?
A: Mishigas
Q: What is the Yiddish word for a person who is a klutz or a clumsy person?
A: Schlemiel
Q: What is the Yiddish word for a person who is a pest or a nuisance?
A: Pisher
Q: What is the Yiddish word for a person who is a big shot or a person with an inflated sense of self-importance?
A: Maven
Q: What is the Yiddish word for a person who is a schnook or a gullible person?
A: Paskudnyak
Jewish Food
Q: What is the Jewish braided bread eaten on Shabbat and holidays?
A: Challah
Q: What is the Jewish noodle pudding or casserole called?
A: Kugel
Q: What is the Jewish dish made of stuffed cabbage leaves?
A: Holishkes
Q: What is the Jewish soup made with matzo balls?
A: Matzo Ball Soup
Q: What is the Jewish fish dish made of gefilte fish?
A: Gefilte Fish
Q: What is the Jewish dish of roasted brisket?
A: Brisket
Q: What is the Jewish dish of potato pancakes fried in oil?
A: Latkes
Q: What is the Jewish cheese blintz?
A: Blintz
Q: What is the Jewish dish of beef and potatoes stew?
A: Cholent
Q: What is the Jewish dish of fried doughnuts filled with jelly or custard?
A: Sufganiyot
Israel
Q: What is the capital of Israel?
A: Jerusalem
Q: What is the currency of Israel?
A: Israeli New Shekel (ILS)
Q: What is the largest city in Israel?
A: Jerusalem
Q: What is the lowest point on earth, located in Israel?
A: The Dead Sea
Q: What is the name of the largest lake in Israel?
A: Sea of Galilee (Kinneret)
Q: What is the name of the desert that covers a large part of southern Israel?
A: Negev Desert
Q: What is the name of the main international airport in Israel?
A: Ben Gurion Airport
Q: What is the name of the Israeli national airline?
A: El Al
Q: What is the name of the Israeli parliament?
A: Knesset
Q: What is the name of the Israeli national anthem?
A: Hatikvah
Q: What is the name of the Jewish holiday that celebrates the coming of age of a Jewish boy or girl?
A: Bar/Bat Mitzvah
✅ FAQs About Jewish Trivia Questions
Q: What are some key Jewish holidays?
A: Shabbat, Passover, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, and Purim are among the most significant.
Q: Is Hebrew still spoken today?
A: Yes, Hebrew is the official language of Israel and is spoken by millions globally.
Q: What is the difference between the Torah and the Talmud?
A: The Torah is the foundational text of Judaism; the Talmud is a compilation of discussions and interpretations of the Torah.
Q: Do all Jews keep kosher?
A: No, but many observant Jews do follow kosher dietary laws based on the Torah.
Q: Are there different types of Jews?
A: Yes—Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, and more, each with unique customs and histories.
Q: Can non-Jews attend Jewish celebrations?
A: Yes, many Jewish families welcome friends and guests to celebrate holidays like Passover or Hanukkah.
Q: What does the Star of David represent?
A: It symbolizes Jewish identity and is a widely recognized emblem of Judaism.
Q: What is a Bat Mitzvah?
A: It’s a coming-of-age ceremony for Jewish girls, typically at age 12.
Q: What is the origin of Jewish trivia nights?
A: Trivia events have become popular in Jewish schools, camps, and synagogues to encourage cultural learning.
Q: Are there online Jewish trivia resources?
A: Yes, websites like My Jewish Learning offer quizzes and educational resources.
🏁 Conclusion
Jewish trivia is more than just a game—it’s a meaningful way to connect with thousands of years of heritage, culture, and identity. Whether you’re deepening your knowledge for religious reasons or simply fascinated by world history and culture, these questions illuminate the richness of Judaism.
With categories ranging from scripture to food and modern life, this comprehensive guide provides a fun and informative experience for learners of all ages. So, the next time you’re at a trivia night or a Jewish celebration, you’ll be ready to shine.
