Hanukkah Trivia Questions: Celebrate the Festival of Lights!
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a cherished celebration rich with history, traditions, and joy. Spanning eight nights, this Jewish holiday commemorates the miraculous events surrounding the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago. From the lighting of the Hanukkiah to the spinning of dreidels, the holiday is steeped in meaning and filled with memorable moments that bring families and communities together.
In this trivia guide, we’ll delve into the fascinating aspects of Hanukkah—its origins, customs, and the delicious foods that make it so special. Whether you’re hosting a Hanukkah-themed quiz night, exploring the holiday’s history, or simply looking to learn something new, these trivia questions are sure to enlighten and entertain. Gather your friends, light the candles, and let the games begin!
History of Hanukkah
1. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of which sacred site?
Answer: The Second Temple in Jerusalem
2. What empire ruled over Judea during the Hanukkah story?
Answer: The Seleucid Empire
3. Who was the leader of the Maccabean revolt?
Answer: Judah Maccabee
4. What year is the Hanukkah story believed to have occurred?
Answer: Around 165 BCE
5. The miracle of Hanukkah is associated with oil that lasted for how many days?
Answer: Eight days
6. What was the name of the Seleucid ruler who desecrated the Temple?
Answer: Antiochus IV Epiphanes
7. What does the term “Maccabee” mean?
Answer: Hammer
8. How many days did it take to fully cleanse and rededicate the Temple?
Answer: Eight days
9. What Jewish text details the story of Hanukkah?
Answer: The Books of the Maccabees (found in the Apocrypha)
Hanukkah Traditions
10. How many candles are lit on the Hanukkiah by the end of Hanukkah?
Answer: Nine (including the shamash for all eight days)
11. What is the shamash candle used for?
Answer: To light the other candles on the Hanukkiah
12. On the first night of Hanukkah, how many candles are lit?
Answer: Two (one for the first night and the shamash)
13. What direction are the Hanukkah candles placed in the Hanukkiah?
Answer: From right to left
14. In what direction are the Hanukkah candles lit?
Answer: From left to right
15. What is traditionally recited or sung after lighting the Hanukkah candles?
Answer: Hanerot Halalu and Ma’oz Tzur
16. What does Hanukkah mean in Hebrew?
Answer: Dedication
17. What is the central theme of Hanukkah?
Answer: Religious freedom and the triumph of light over darkness
18. What kids are known to play with in Hanukkah?
Answer: Dreidel
19. How do families typically celebrate the eight nights of Hanukkah?
Answer: Lighting candles, saying blessings, giving gifts, and playing dreidel
20. What is the proper way to display a Hanukkiah?
Answer: In a window where it can be seen from outside, to publicize the miracle
Hanukkah Foods
21. What is the most common Hanukkah food made from potatoes?
Answer: Latkes
22. What sweet fried treat is often enjoyed during Hanukkah?
Answer: Sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts)
23. Why are foods fried in oil significant during Hanukkah?
Answer: They symbolize the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days
24. What topping is commonly served with latkes?
Answer: Sour cream or applesauce
26. What is a popular dairy-based dish served during Hanukkah?
Answer: Blintzes or cheese kugel
27. In which country did sufganiyot become a popular Hanukkah treat?
Answer: Israel
28. What is the Hebrew word for latkes?
Answer: Levivot
Hanukkah Symbols and Games
29. What is the primary symbol of Hanukkah?
Answer: The Hanukkiah (or menorah)
30. What is a dreidel?
Answer: A four-sided spinning top used for a Hanukkah game
31. What are the Hebrew letters on a dreidel?
Answer: Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin
32. What are the Hebrew letters on a dreidel in Israel?
Answer: Nun, Gimel, Hei, Pey
33. What do the letters Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin abbreviate?
Answer: Nes Gadol Haya Sham
34. What do the letters Nun, Gimel, Hei, Pey abbreviate?
Answer: Nes Gadol Haya Po
35. What does “Nes Gadol Haya Sham” mean?
Answer: A great miracle happened there
36. What does “Nes Gadol Haya Po” mean?
Answer: A great miracle happened here
37. What does the letter “Gimel” on the dreidel signify in the game?
Answer: Take all the gelt (game pieces)
38. What are dreidels called in Israel?
Answer: Sevivon
39. What is Hanukkah gelt?
Answer: Chocolate coins or real money used as gifts or for dreidel games
40. What material were ancient menorahs made from?
Answer: Gold
41. What does the Hanukkah gelt tradition honor?
Answer: The coins minted by the Maccabees during their rule
Fun and Miscellaneous Hanukkah Facts
42. In what month does Hanukkah usually fall?
Answer: December (sometimes late November)
43. What calendar is used to determine the dates of Hanukkah?
Answer: The Hebrew lunar calendar
44. What is the longest recorded Hanukkah celebration?
Answer: It was celebrated for weeks after the liberation of Jerusalem
45. Why is Hanukkah considered a minor Jewish holiday?
Answer: It is not mentioned in the Torah
47. What is the name of the Jewish prayer that thanks God for miracles?
Answer: Al Hanisim
48. Who first coined the term “Festival of Lights” for Hanukkah?
Answer: Josephus, a Jewish historian
49. How many candles are used in total throughout Hanukkah?
Answer: 44 candles (including the shamash each night)
50. What is the difference between a Hanukkiah and a traditional menorah?
Answer: A Hanukkiah has nine branches; a menorah has seven
