The 15 quiz questions
Question 1 : How many books make up the Torah, the founding text of Judaism?
Possible answers:
- 3
- 5
- 12
- 24
Explanation: The Torah ("teaching" in Hebrew) contains 5 books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. It is also called the Pentateuch. It forms the first part of the Hebrew Bible.
Question 2 : Which patriarch is considered the founding father of the Jewish people?
Possible answers:
- Abraham
- David
- Moses
- Solomon
Explanation: Abraham is the first of the three patriarchs of Judaism (with Isaac and Jacob). According to Genesis, God made a covenant with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan.
Question 3 : What day of the week is Shabbat, the sacred day of rest in Judaism?
Possible answers:
- Monday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Friday
Explanation: Shabbat begins on Friday evening at sunset and ends on Saturday evening. It commemorates the 7th day of Creation, when God rested. Observant Jews refrain from working.
Question 4 : How many points does the Star of David, symbol of Judaism, have?
Possible answers:
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 8
Explanation: The Star of David (Magen David, "Shield of David") is a 6-pointed star formed by two overlapping triangles. It appears on the flag of Israel and is the most recognizable symbol of Judaism.
Question 5 : How many days does the festival of Hanukkah last?
Possible answers:
- 3
- 7
- 8
- 10
Explanation: Hanukkah (Festival of Lights) lasts 8 days. It commemorates the miracle of the oil flask that burned for 8 days instead of one during the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem in 164 BCE.
Question 6 : At what age does a Jewish boy celebrate his Bar Mitzvah?
Possible answers:
- 10
- 12
- 13
- 16
Explanation: The Bar Mitzvah ("son of the commandment") is celebrated at age 13 for boys. The Bat Mitzvah for girls takes place at 12. The teenager becomes responsible for their religious duties.
Question 7 : What does Yom Kippur, the most solemn day of the Jewish calendar, mean?
Possible answers:
- Day of Atonement
- Jewish New Year
- Feast of Tabernacles
- Harvest Festival
Explanation: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is a day of total 25-hour fasting dedicated to atonement for sins and reconciliation with God. It is the holiest day in Judaism.
Question 8 : In which city is the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, located?
Possible answers:
- Tel Aviv
- Jerusalem
- Hebron
- Haifa
Explanation: The Western Wall (Kotel) is in Jerusalem. It is the last remnant of the Second Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. Worshippers place written prayers between the stones.
Question 9 : Which biblical event does the Passover (Pesach) festival commemorate?
Possible answers:
- The destruction of the Temple
- The giving of the Torah
- The creation of the world
- The Exodus from Egypt
Explanation: Passover commemorates the liberation of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, led by Moses. The festival lasts 7 or 8 days and includes the ritual Seder meal with unleavened bread (matzo).
Question 10 : How many branches does the Menorah, the traditional Jewish candelabrum, have?
Possible answers:
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 12
Explanation: The traditional Menorah has 7 branches and symbolizes the 7 days of Creation. Not to be confused with the Hanukkiah, the 9-branch candelabrum used during Hanukkah (8 + 1 servant).
Question 11 : What term designates dietary laws in Judaism?
Possible answers:
- Talmud
- Halakha
- Kashrut
- Midrash
Explanation: Kashrut designates Jewish dietary laws. Compliant foods are called "kosher." Key rules include: prohibition of pork, separation of dairy and meat, ritual slaughter (shechita).
Question 12 : What is the sacred language of Judaism, in which the Torah was written?
Possible answers:
- Aramaic
- Yiddish
- Arabic
- Hebrew
Explanation: Hebrew is the sacred language of Judaism. The Torah was written in biblical Hebrew. Modern Hebrew (Ivrit) became the official language of the State of Israel in 1948, after its revival in the 19th century.
Question 13 : What is the main role of the rabbi in the Jewish community?
Possible answers:
- Absolving sins
- Leading prayers exclusively
- Celebrating sacraments
- Teaching and interpreting the Torah
Explanation: The rabbi ("master" in Hebrew) is a spiritual guide and Torah teacher. Unlike the Catholic priest, he is not an intermediary between God and the faithful. He can marry and have children.
Question 14 : Which instrument is traditionally blown during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year?
Possible answers:
- The shofar
- The tambourine
- The flute
- The harp
Explanation: The shofar is a ram's horn blown during Rosh Hashanah and at the end of Yom Kippur. Its powerful sound is a call to repentance and spiritual introspection.
Question 15 : Approximately how many Jewish people are there in the world?
Possible answers:
- 15 million
- 50 million
- 150 million
- 500 million
Explanation: There are an estimated 15 million Jews worldwide, mainly in Israel (~7 million) and the United States (~6 million). It is the smallest of the three major monotheistic religions.




