Question 1

The most important event in the history of the Judaism is

Accepted Answer

The Exodus is considered the most important event in Jewish history as it marks the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and the beginning of their journey towards the Promised Land. The story of the Exodus is retold each year during the Passover holiday, and is central to Jewish identity and faith.

Question 2

About 30 percent of the Babylonian Talmud is a tale or narrative about the Jewish people and their history called

Accepted Answer

The Haggadah is a narrative component of the Babylonian Talmud that recounts tales and stories about the Jewish people and their history, comprising approximately 30 percent of the text. The Mishna, Gemara, and Torah are other components of the Talmud, but they do not primarily focus on narratives.

Question 3

A synagogue can exist wherever there is a copy of the Scripture and

Accepted Answer

A synagogue requires a minyan, which is a group of ten adult Jewish males, to be present for certain prayers to be recited. The presence of a copy of the Scriptures is also necessary for the synagogue to function. A rabbi, consecrated building, and altar are not strictly necessary for the existence of a synagogue.

Question 4

The most important role of these individuals in the ancient Israelite religion was to point out infractions of the law and plead for a return to justice.

Accepted Answer

Prophets were the individuals in ancient Israelite religion who had the most important role of pointing out infractions of the law and pleading for a return to justice. They were believed to have a direct line of communication with God and were called upon to speak on God's behalf to the people. Priests were responsible for performing rituals and sacrifices, while messiahs were anointed individuals believed to be chosen by God to lead the people. Rabbis did not emerge until later in Jewish history and were mainly teachers of the law.

Question 5

The scattering of the Jewish people all over the world in the years after the Assyrian destruction of Israel is called the

Accepted Answer

The term "Diaspora" refers specifically to the scattering of the Jewish people from their homeland after the Assyrian destruction of Israel. The term "exile" could also apply but is more commonly used to refer to other periods of Jewish displacement, such as the Babylonian captivity. The terms "great migration" and "Exodus" do not accurately describe this particular event.

Question 6

According to the Hebrew Bible, after a series of disastrous dealings with humanity, God choose to communicate exclusively with

Accepted Answer

According to the Hebrew Bible, after various interactions with humanity, God chose to establish a covenant with Abraham and Sarah, making their descendants—later known as the Israelites or the Jewish people—His chosen people. This is a foundational concept in Judaism.

Question 7

After the return from Babylon to Jerusalem, this priest probably began the process of canonizing books as the word of God.

Accepted Answer

Ezra is credited with being the scribe who led the Israelites back to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile and helped to rebuild the Temple. He is also traditionally seen as the leader who canonized the Hebrew Scriptures, recognizing which books were considered the word of God and should be preserved and studied.

Question 8

Synagogue is the Greek word for

Accepted Answer

The Greek word "synagogue" means "assembly." It refers to the gathering of people, which is why Jewish places of worship are called synagogues, emphasizing the community aspect of worship.

Question 9

The Talmud is

Accepted Answer

The Talmud is a combination of the Gemara, which is a commentary on the Mishnah (a collection of Jewish oral traditions), and together they form the primary text of Jewish law and theology. It is not a book about prophets or mystical beliefs, and while it does contain discussions on the Torah, it is not a direct combination of the Torah and Kabbalah.

Question 10

The first temple was destroyed in 586 B.C.E. when

Accepted Answer

The first temple was destroyed in 586 B.C.E. when the Babylonians invaded and carried the Jews off into exile. This event is known as the Babylonian Exile or the Captivity, and it lasted for about 70 years. The destruction of the temple was a significant event in Jewish history and is remembered annually on the fast day of Tisha B'Av.

Question 11

In the years following the death of Muhammad, Muslims treated Jews and Christians better than they did other non-Muslims under their control because

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the years following the death of...

Question 12

In the worship practices of the ancient Israelites, the custom of keeping the Sabbath is attached to

Accepted Answer

The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship that was commanded by God to the Israelites as part of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, and they included the command to keep the Sabbath holy.

Question 13

This German philosopher and poet encouraged German Jews to enter the modern world.

Accepted Answer

Mendelssohn was a German philosopher and poet who strongly advocated for the integration of German Jews into modern society. He believed that Jews should pursue secular knowledge and engage with the cultural traditions of the societies in which they lived. His ideas influenced the Haskalah, or Jewish Enlightenment, and helped pave the way for greater integration and acceptance of Jews in Europe. Handel was a composer, Shabbatai Zevi was a false messiah in the 17th century, and Lessing was a German writer and philosopher, but none of them specifically encouraged German Jews to enter the modern world.

Question 14

The Ten Commandments, which are basic to Jewish life, were given to

Accepted Answer

The Ten Commandments were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, according to Jewish tradition.

Question 15

In 922 B.C.E., a rebellion split the nation of Israel into two nations. Which one survived?

Accepted Answer

After the rebellion, the northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 B.C.E. while the southern kingdom of Judah survived.

Question 16

Because they followed their flocks from place to place, ancient Israelites can be characterized as

Accepted Answer

The fact that the ancient Israelites followed their flocks from place to place suggests that they were constantly on the move and did not have a fixed place of residence. This is consistent with the lifestyle of nomads, who move from one place to another in search of pasture and water for their herds. Therefore, "nomads" is the best choice to characterize the ancient Israelites.

Question 17

Which book in the Hebrew Bible offers elaborate codes of law that regulate every area of life?

Accepted Answer

Leviticus contains detailed codes of law, including regulations on sacrifices, purification, dietary restrictions, and moral behavior.

Question 18

This person is the greatest figure in Spanish Judaism; he was a philosopher, a Talmudist, and a physician.

Accepted Answer

Moses ben Maimon, also known as Maimonides, was a prominent Jewish scholar and philosopher during the Golden Age of Jewish culture in Spain. He is considered the greatest figure in Spanish Judaism, as he made significant contributions to various fields such as philosophy, Talmudic literature, and medicine.

Question 19

Adherents of this form of Judaism prefer the vernacular in their worship, seek to update and modernize Judaism, and ordain women as rabbis.

Accepted Answer

The description matches the principles and practices of Reform Judaism. Conservative and Orthodox branches adhere to traditional practices and do not necessarily update or modernize Judaism, while Hasidic Judaism emphasizes strict adherence to customs and traditions.

Question 20

This was placed in Solomon's temple and remained there until the Babylonians destroyed the temple.

Accepted Answer

The Ark of the Covenant was a sacred chest that contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments. It was placed in Solomon's temple and it remained there until the Babylonians destroyed the temple.

Quiz 9: Judaism