Celebrate the Festival of Lights with our engaging Hanukkah Trivia! Test your knowledge on traditions, history, and customs while having fun with family and friends. Perfect for parties, gatherings, or educational events, our trivia questions illuminate the rich heritage and joyous spirit of Hanukkah. Let the games begin!
Hanukkah Trivia
Did you know these fun facts?
- During Hanukkah, children spin the dreidel, a four-sided top with Hebrew letters that secretly symbolized Torah study under persecution.
- The Hanukkah menorah holds nine candles, with the ninth one, the shammash, used to light the other eight each night.
- Traditional Hanukkah treats like latkes and sufganiyot are fried in oil to honor the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days.
Hanukkah Trivia Questions and Answers
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| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What Hebrew term refers to the Hanukkah candelabrum with nine branches? | â–¶ Hanukkiah |
| How many nights does Hanukkah last? | â–¶ Eight nights |
| What is the name of the extra candle used to light the others on the Hanukkiah? | â–¶ Shammash |
| What miracle does Hanukkah commemorate? | â–¶ Oil lasting eight days |
| During which revolt did Hanukkah originate? | â–¶ Maccabean Revolt |
| What traditional game is played with a four-sided top during Hanukkah? | â–¶ Dreidel |
| What potato-based dish is commonly eaten during Hanukkah? | â–¶ Latkes |
| What jelly-filled pastry is a Hanukkah favorite? | â–¶ Sufganiyot |
| Which Jewish movement popularized public menorah lightings in the 1970s? | â–¶ Chabad |
| On which Hebrew calendar day does Hanukkah begin? | â–¶ 25th day of Kislev |
| What is the Hebrew blessing for lighting the Hanukkah candles? | â–¶ Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu… |
| What song with six stanzas is sung during Hanukkah? | â–¶ Ma’oz Tzur |
| Which king’s persecution led to the Hanukkah story? | â–¶ Antiochus IV Epiphanes |
| What is the modern Israeli term for the Hanukkah menorah? | â–¶ Chanukiah |
| Who led the Maccabean Revolt after Mattathias’s death? | â–¶ Judah Maccabee |
| What Hebrew phrase is found on dreidels in Israel instead of “Sham”? | â–¶ Nes Gadol Haya Po |
| What is Hanukkah gelt? | â–¶ Chocolate coins or money given to children |
| Which Jewish text details the miracle of the oil? | â–¶ The Talmud |
| What is the Jewish prayer added during Hanukkah in the Amidah? | â–¶ Al HaNissim |
| What is the significance of the number five in the Hanukkah acronym? | â–¶ Refers to the five books of Torah |
| What tradition involves giving children money during Hanukkah? | â–¶ Hanukkah gelt |
| What is the purpose of placing the menorah in a window? | â–¶ To publicize the miracle |
| What battle saw Judah Maccabee defeat Lysias? | â–¶ Battle of Beth Zur |
| What dairy food is eaten to remember Judith’s victory? | â–¶ Cheese pancakes |
| What is the Ashkenazi custom regarding menorah lighting per household member? | â–¶ Each male lights a full set |
| What is the Sephardic custom regarding menorah lighting for households? | â–¶ One set for the whole household |
| Which Roman historian wrote about Hanukkah? | â–¶ Josephus |
| What is the final day of Hanukkah called? | â–¶ Zot Hanukkah |
| Which Jewish queen’s story is linked to Hanukkah traditions? | â–¶ Judith |
| What ancient language outside Hebrew contains the Hanukkah story? | â–¶ Greek |
| What song describes spinning the dreidel? | â–¶ Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel |
| What is the Hanukkah hymn sung after lighting candles? | â–¶ Hanerot Halalu |
| What is the primary color scheme of Hanukkah decorations? | â–¶ Blue and white |
| Which Jewish philosopher wrote about Hanukkah as days of rejoicing? | â–¶ Maimonides |
| What festival was Hanukkah modeled after? | â–¶ Sukkot |
| What is the meaning of “Nes Gadol Haya Sham”? | â–¶ A great miracle happened there |
| What is “Ocho Kandelikas”? | â–¶ A Ladino song about Hanukkah candles |
| What does “Thanksgivukkah” refer to? | â–¶ Hanukkah and Thanksgiving falling on the same dates |
| What is the significance of the Hanukkah bush? | â–¶ A Jewish counterpart to the Christmas tree |
| What Jewish prayer is omitted during Hanukkah? | â–¶ Tachanun |
| What tradition involves decorating the home for Hanukkah? | â–¶ Hiddur mitzvah |
| What food, similar to a doughnut, is eaten by Sephardic Jews during Hanukkah? | â–¶ Bimuelos |
| What is the Hebrew term for the Festival of Lights? | â–¶ Chag HaUrim |
| What battle did Judah Maccabee die in? | â–¶ Battle of Elasa |
| What is the traditional Ashkenazi song about latkes? | â–¶ Latke’le Latke’le |
| What is the purpose of the shammash in Hanukkah lighting? | â–¶ To light the other candles |
| What is the Hebrew term for the blessings recited during Hanukkah? | â–¶ Brachot |
| What is “Hiddur mitzvah” in the context of Hanukkah? | â–¶ Beautification of the mitzvah |
| What is the dreidel’s Hebrew abbreviation an acronym for? | â–¶ Nes Gadol Haya Sham |
| What Jewish holiday is concluded by Hanukkah according to Kabbalistic teachings? | â–¶ The High Holy Days |
| What is the main purpose of the Hanukkah menorah? | â–¶ To display the miracle of the oil |
| What is the traditional Hanukkah greeting? | â–¶ Happy Hanukkah |
| What is the name of the Jewish prayer added to grace after meals during Hanukkah? | â–¶ Al HaNissim |
| Which dynasty’s actions are commemorated by Hanukkah? | â–¶ Hasmonean |
| What is the historical significance of the Shulchan Aruch for Hanukkah? | â–¶ Adopts Hillel’s candle lighting order |
| What historical event is Antiochus IV Epiphanes known for in relation to Hanukkah? | â–¶ Desecrating the Second Temple |
| What is the Hebrew term for the act of adding one candle each night? | â–¶ Progressive lighting |
| What is the name of the Jewish hymn recited after lighting the Hanukkah candles? | â–¶ Ma’oz Tzur |
| Which Jewish holiday’s themes are concluded by Hanukkah according to Kabbalistic teachings? | â–¶ The High Holy Days |
| What is the meaning of “Nes Gadol Haya Po”? | â–¶ A great miracle happened here |
| What is the main symbol of Hanukkah? | â–¶ The menorah |
| What is the Hebrew word for “miracle” as used in Hanukkah? | â–¶ Nes |
| What is the common nickname for the Hanukkah menorah? | â–¶ Festival of Lights |
| What is the historical significance of the miracle of the oil according to Hanukkah? | â–¶ Oil lasted eight days |
| Which Jewish holiday was influenced by the rededication of the Holy Temple during Hanukkah? | â–¶ Sukkot |
| What is the name of the Jewish prayer added to daily prayers during Hanukkah? | â–¶ Al HaNissim |
| Which Jewish festival is considered Hanukkah’s counterpart in terms of timing in North America? | â–¶ Christmas |
| What is the name of the hymn that praises God for past miracles during Hanukkah? | â–¶ Ma’oz Tzur |
| What ancient conflict is central to the Hanukkah story? | â–¶ Maccabean Revolt |
| What is the Jewish tradition of giving money to children during Hanukkah called? | â–¶ Hanukkah gelt |
| What is the significance of the eight-day duration of Hanukkah? | â–¶ Miracle of the oil lasting eight days |
| What is the name of the prayer that thanks God for the miracles during Hanukkah? | â–¶ Al HaNissim |
| What is the significance of lighting the menorah in public? | â–¶ To announce the miracle to others |
| What is the historical significance of the Maccabees’ victory? | â–¶ Rededication of the Second Temple |
| How does Hanukkah honor the resilience of the Jewish people? | â–¶ It celebrates the Maccabees’ victory and the rededication of the Temple after resisting persecution |
| What event does Hanukkah specifically commemorate? | â–¶ The rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt |
| Which U.S. President held the first public Hanukkah menorah lighting at the White House? | â–¶ President Jimmy Carter |
| According to the Jewish calendar, on which month does Hanukkah usually occur? | â–¶ Kislev, the ninth month of the Jewish calendar |
| What traditional Hanukkah dish is made from grated potatoes and onions? | â–¶ Latkes (potato pancakes) |
| During what range of dates does Hanukkah typically fall in the Gregorian calendar? | â–¶ From late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar |
| Name one different way families celebrate Hanukkah besides lighting candles | â–¶ Playing dreidel, exchanging gifts, or eating traditional foods |
| How is Rosh Hashanah different from Hanukkah? | â–¶ Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year focusing on repentance, while Hanukkah celebrates a historical miracle and victory |
| What do the Hebrew letters on a dreidel represent, and what is the purpose of the ninth candle on the menorah? | â–¶ The letters stand for “Nes Gadol Haya Sham” (“A great miracle happened there”), and the ninth candle is the shammash used to light the others |
| List three traditional Hanukkah foods. | â–¶ Latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), and cheese pancakes |
| In what year was the rare “Thanksgivukkah” celebration, where Hanukkah and Thanksgiving coincided in late November? | â–¶ 2013 was a year when Hanukkah and Thanksgiving coincided, prompting the term “Thanksgivukkah” |
| Which U.S. President participated in the first public Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony at the White House? | â–¶ President Jimmy Carter |
| How is Torah study incorporated into Hanukkah celebrations? | â–¶ Families may engage in Torah study sessions to reflect on the themes of dedication and miracles |
| What is a national menorah and when was it first lit? | â–¶ A national menorah is a large public menorah display, first lit in the White House in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter |
| How does Yom Kippur differ from Hanukkah in terms of observance? | â–¶ Yom Kippur is a day of fasting and atonement, whereas Hanukkah is a festival of lights celebrating a historical miracle |
| What is a little dreidel and how is it used during Hanukkah? | â–¶ A small spinning top used in the traditional dreidel game played during Hanukkah |
| What are jelly doughnuts called in Hebrew and why are they eaten during Hanukkah? | â–¶ They are called sufganiyot and are eaten to commemorate the miracle of the oil |
| Where can you find the world’s largest menorah, and how tall is it? | â–¶ The world’s largest menorah is displayed in New York City, standing over 100 feet tall |
| Which non-canonical book of the Bible recounts the story of Hanukkah? | â–¶ Second Maccabees |
| What is the main objective of the dreidel game played during Hanukkah? | â–¶ To win gelt (money or chocolate) by spinning the dreidel and following the letter’s instructions |
| What is the Yiddish word for Hanukkah money given to children? | â–¶ Gelt |
| How many total candles are lit over the eight days of Hanukkah, including the shammash? | â–¶ 44 candles (36 Hanukkah candles plus 8 shammash candles) |
| What role did the high priest play in the Hanukkah story? | â–¶ He sealed the cruse of oil that miraculously lasted eight days |
| Where is the world’s largest menorah located? | â–¶ In New York City, part of the annual National Menorah lighting |
| What was the military victory that Hanukkah celebrates? | â–¶ The Maccabees’ defeat of the Seleucid forces and rededication of the Temple |
| Which Jewish temple’s rededication is celebrated during Hanukkah? | â–¶ The Second Temple in Jerusalem |
| Name a popular Hanukkah song. | â–¶ “Oh Chanukah” or “Ma’oz Tzur” |
| What is the purpose of lighting Hanukkah candles each night? | â–¶ To commemorate the miracle of the oil and to celebrate the festival of lights |
| What is Hanukkah gelt typically made of today? | â–¶ Chocolate coins or real money |
| Which actor starred in the Hanukkah-themed movie “Eight Crazy Nights”? | â–¶ Adam Sandler |
