Jewish Holidays

Yom Kippur

On this holiday, one prayer has the word kotvaynu replaced by khatmaynu, and the Ashamnu and Al Cheit are recited. Before the destruction of the Second Temple, the High Priest used to pronounce the Tetragrammaton. (unfinished; Prison 2010 Round03)

Tisha B'Av

The period leading to ( ACF Regionals | 2010 - ACF Regionals - Michigan + Penn.doc)

Yom Kippur

The practice of kapparot associated with this holiday sees a donation to the poor, while the Tetragrammaton or Ha-Shem was pronounced by the High Priest of the Great Temple on this day. The last of the five services occurring on this day is the Neilah. People try to transfer their sins away and recite the Kol Nidre prayer before its beginning. Occurring on the 10th of Tishrei, it concludes the (*) High Holy Days. For 10 points, name this Jewish Day of Atonement.

Yom Kippur

The practice of wearing white on this holiday is derived from Isaiah 1:18. This holiday ends with a Ne'ilah (nay-EEL-ah) service. A cellist often accompanies one prayer recited on the opening night of this holiday, called the Kol Nidre (coal NEE-dray). This holiday does not deal with transgressions against other people, but rather only atoning with God. For 10 points, name this holiday that takes place eight days after Rosh Hashanah, the final high holiday in Judaism.

Rosh Hashanah

The shehecheyanu prayer is said after eating fruit dipped in honey after this observance. This holiday begins of the ten days of awe, and it is the only Jewish holiday celebrated over multiple days. Celebration of this holiday sometime includes the practice of tashlikh, or throwing food into running water, and it is ten days before (*) Yom Kippur. After each group of three prayers on this holiday, the shofar is blown as an indication of the spiritual awakening Moses received on Sinai. This holiday is sometimes known as the Day of Remembrance because practitioners are instructed to remember the creation. It is also called the Day of Judgment and occurs on the first day of Tishri, the first month of the Jewish calendar. For 10 points, name this Jewish New Year holiday.

Purim

A "little" form of this holiday is celebrated in leap years, and children are instructed to make noise on this holiday.

Omer

A boy's first haircut in honor of Shimon Bar Yochai is performed on the 33rd day of this 49-day period of semi-mourning, which commences on the second day of Passover.

Yom Kippur

During evening prayer services on this holiday, many married men wear a robe called a kittel that is otherwise used as a funeral shroud. One minor tradition on this holiday is the reading of the entire Book of Jonah during the afternoon service. Oral tradition dictates that people may not wash themselves or have sex while observing this holiday. One important prayer during this holiday is recited in Aramaic rather than the usual Hebrew; that is the Kol Nidre. It is observed with a 25-hour fast and special synagogue services. For 10 points, name this Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year in Judaism.

Passover

During it, Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones is read, and some participants in this festival may take part in the "counting of the Omer," which continues after the conclusion of this festival. During one event at this festival, "Dayenu" is sung, the "afikomen" is hidden, and participating children are asked the "four questions."

Passover

During the ninth stanza of a fifteen-stanza song, some observers of this holiday hit each other with leeks or scallions. On the second day of this holiday, counting begins for the celebration of the harvest of the first fruits. In the tzafun of this holiday, the afikoman is eaten, and outside of Israel, it is observed for eight days, beginning with the 15th of Nisan. The youngest member at the Seder asks four questions about this holiday, on which the eating of bread is forbidden. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday that celebrates the Exodus from Egypt, during which Jews read the Haggadah and eat matzo.

Tu B'av

"15th of Av", is a day mentioned in the Talmud alongside Yom Kippur as "happiest of the year". It was a day celebrating the bringing of wood used for the Temple Service, as well as a day when marriages were arranged. Today, it is marked by a small change in liturgy. In modern Israel, the day has become somewhat of an analog to Valentine's Day.

Rosh Hashanah

Alternate names for this holiday include Yom Hatzikaron, Yom Hadin, and Yom Truah. It marks the beginning of the days of return, or teshuvah, which are concluded ten days later by the Sabbath of Complete Rest. Some people observe tashlich on this day by throwing bread crumbs into a river or stream, and a traditional dish served on this holiday is carrot tzimmes. Celebrated on the first of the month of (*) Tishre, this holiday features the blowing of the shofar, and the eating of apples and honey in hopes of a sweet new year. For 10 points, give the name of the Jewish new year, the first of the High Holidays that are completed by Yom Kippur.

Shabbat

(JG) Do not give an answer in English. An eruv [AIR oov] can be constructed for purposes related to this, whose desecration is the worst possible crime. Observant individuals refrain from what is called muktzah [MOOK tzah], thirty-nine specified activities, and are called shomer [SHOH mair] this. Songs are sung in the kabbalat [kah buh LAT] service the evening before, including "Yedid Nefesh" [yeh-DEED NEH-fesh] and "L'cha Dodi" [lih-KHAH doh-DEE], which anthropomorphizes it as a bride. It ends with rituals including spices and a candle with several wicks, havdalah [hahv DAH lah], and Yom Kippur [YOHM kee POOR] is a special case of this day. Give the Hebrew name for this holiday that begins at sundown on Friday nights and is celebrated every Saturday, the Jewish sabbath.

Sukkot

**The hakhel ceremony of hearing the king of Israel read the Torah on the Chol Ha Moed of this holiday has been revived and led by the president of Israel in recent years. A water blessing called the Nisoch Hamayim that was performed to bless the temples in Jerusalem is also revived with a celebration called the Simchat Beit Hashoevah. On this holiday's final day, the Hoshana Raba, observers of this holiday circle the synagogue seven times with a lulav and etrog, and a followers strike the ground with a bundle of five aravah willow branches. S'chach designates the material that can be used for the roof of this holiday's namesake structures, and it is immediately followed by Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. For 10 points, what is this Jewish holiday also known as the Feast of the Tabernacles?

Seder

A lesser-known version of this type of observance is called Hemdat ha-Yamim, and takes place on the holiday of Tu Bishvat. Songs commonly sung during this observance include "Had Gadya" and "Daiyenu." Steps of its most well- known version include urchatz, the ritual washing of the hands, and maror. Like Yom Kippur, this ritual is concluded with the words "Next year in Jerusalem," after the afikoman is found. This ritual features the discussion of the Four Sons, the recitation of the Four Questions, and the drinking of four cups of wine, which are symbolic of the four distinct redemptions promised by God to the Hebrews in the book of Exodus. For 10 points, the consumption of matzah highlights this ritual Jewish meal, conducted on the first and second days of Passover.

Hanukkah

A song about this holiday mentioning the consumption of "pastelikos" and "almendrikas" was written in the Sephardic language Ladino. This holiday was first celebrated under the Hasmonean dynasty. Shammai argued against Hillel that the shamash should be used one fewer time on each successive day of this holiday, which begins in the month of Kislev. This holiday celebrates the defeat of Antiochus IV's Hellenistic army by Judah Maccabee. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday whose eight nights correspond to candles on the menorah.

Shabbat

A song sung at the beginning of this observance refers to it as a queen or bride and is called the Lekhah Dodi. Common meals eaten on this day include a stew called Cholent which is often eaten as the Seudah Shlishit or "third meal." It ends with a breaking ceremony called Havdalah which occurs after three stars are visible in the night sky. The scriptural justification for this observance comes from Exodus 20:11 and Deuteronomy 5:15, which provide its two commandments of Zakhor and Shamor, or "to remember" and "to observe." Rabbinical debate over the meaning of Melachah primarily applies to this day, as it suggests avoiding the thirty-nine melakhot, which include writing two or more letters, tearing for the purpose of sewing, and igniting a fire. This observance begins on Fridays at sundown and concludes at sundown on Saturdays. For 10 points, name this Jewish day of rest.

Yom Kippur

According to religious literature, the official service during this holiday was prefaced by a seven-day sequestering in the Parhedrin Chamber. In orthodox circles, this holiday still includes the removal of the incense from the Holy of Holies and the pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton. The Al Cheit, Ashamnu, and closing Ne'ilah prayers are unique to this holiday, which sees the recitation of the Kol Nidre prayer on its eve, the reading of the Book of Jonah, and Vidui, or the public confession of sins. Occurring eight days after Rosh Hashanah, for 10 points, name this Jewish Day of Atonement.

Rosh Hashanah

According to the Jewish calendar, this is the earlier of two holidays on which the Unetannah Tokef piyyut is recited. In the days leading up to this holiday, the akeidah, chatanu, and techinah prayers are recited in the Ashkenazi tradition as their selichot prayers. One of the customs on this holiday traces its origin to the Sefer Maharil of Rabbi Molin and involves throwing bread into water to represent the casting off of sins; that tradition is called (*) tashlikh. The ba'al tekiyah performs one traditional rite on this holiday, while another tradition is to eat apples dipped in honey on this first of the Days of Awe, which involves 100 blows on the shofar. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday on the first two days of Tishrei that recently marked the beginning of the 5,774th year.

Sukkot

At one point, this holiday included the Hakhel ceremony, during which Jews would make a pilgrimage to hear the king of Israel recite the Torah. Services during or immediately following this holiday involve the reading of Kohelet, or Ecclesiastes. The five middle days of this holiday are called Chol HaMo'ed. The last day of this holiday features seven processions and is known as Hosha'nah Rabbah. This holiday's distinctive features include the carrying of four plants: aravot, hadassim, etrog, and lulav. The day after it is alternately known as either Shemini 'Atseret or Simhat Torah. For 10 points, identify this Jewish harvest festival occurring on the 15th of Tishri, five days after Yom Kippur, during which worshippers remind themselves of the Exodus by dwelling in outdoor booths.

Passover

At the end of this holiday's service, drinking songs like "Had Gadya" are sung, and earlier "Dayenu" ["dye"-AY-noo] is recited. At that service, the youngest person present asks why observers recline as part of the (*) Four Questions. Observers of this holiday spill ten drops of wine--one for each plague--from the four cups of wine they drink, and they also eat unleavened bread called matzah. For 10 points, name this holiday celebrating the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.

Purim

Before the Mincha prayer associated with this holiday, observers give Machatzit Hashekel or 3 halves of a shekel as charity. This holiday has a "Shushan" version, which is celebrated on its following day in walled cities, and it always occurs one month before Passover. Celebrated on the Fouteenth of Adar, some of its practitioners get so drunk as to be unable to differentiate between "Cursed be Haman!" and "Blessed be Mordechai!" For 10 points, identify this Jewish holiday, which celebrates Esther's victory over Haman's evil plans.

Tisha B'Av

Before this event, a solitary meal is eaten in order to avoid a zimmun. The Va'eschanan parsha is read on this day, which marks the end of the "Three Weeks." Delayed by a day if it falls on the Black Sabbath, it sees the reading of qinot, and the Talmud says that the Messiah will be born on this day. Among the events that occurred on this day are the issuance of the Alhambra Decree and a decree concerning forty years of wandering; it also marks the destruction of the First and Second Temples. For 10 points, identify this sad day on the Jewish calendar, which is named for its position in a Hebrew month.

Hanukkah

Cheese is eaten on this holiday to commemorate the beheading of Holofernes, the leader of the Assyrians, by Judith. During this holiday, Al ha-Nissim are added to the hoda'ah section of the Amidah, and the last day of it is called Zot. Observers of this holiday sing songs like "M'Ymaleil?" ("me-uh-ma-layl") and "Ma'oz Tzur." The letters Shin, Nun, Gimel, and Hey are inscribed on a top used in a traditional game for this holiday. This holiday celebrates a successful revolt against Antiochus, as well as the miraculous burning of an oil lamp for eight days. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday celebrated with a menorah.

Purim

Children are known to scream during a reading on this day during the name of a Persian Prime Minister, whose defeat is celebrated on this holiday. In that reading, the Queen fasts for three days before presenting herself to the King. That Queen, the namesake of a book also called the Megillah, convinces Ahasuerus to not follow Haman's plan to kill all Persian Jews. The Talmud states that, for 10 points, on which Jewish holiday is a person required to drink so heavily that he cannot tell the difference between the phrases, "Cursed be Haman!" and "Blessed be Mordechai!" as they fete the work of Esther?

Passover

During this holiday, one person announces that they lean on a pillow to remind themselves they can relax. Another person on this holiday is supposed to ask "Why is this night different from all other nights?" The other questions that are supposed to be asked at dinner during this holiday discuss eating only (*) bitter herbs which are dipped twice, and why Matzah is eaten during this holiday. This holiday commemorates the night when the angel of death skipped the houses of Jews when he killed Egyptians. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday that features the seder.

High Holy Days

During this time period, people recite a poem whose name means "And we will recount the power," the Unetanneh Tokef. On this time period's final day, married men sometimes wear a white robe called a kittel. During this time span, one might hear commands such as "Sh'varim teruah" and "tekiah," and many services contain the Avinu Malkeinu prayer. Some people during this time period scatter bread crumbs in a river. It includes the Fast of Gedaliah. People seek teshuvah during this time period, which uses a prayer book called the Mahzor. The Book of Life is open in this part of the month of Tishrei. It ends on a day on which leather shoes are banned. For 10 points, name this time period in which the shofar is used, ending on a fast day devoted to atonement ten days after the Jewish new year.

Passover

Feathers and a wooden spoon are used to clear out olive-shaped items by candlelight prior to it, and its Islamic analog is celebrated on the 10th of Muharram. The Chol HaMoed refers to its intervening days, and historically, care was taken as to not break the bones of a certain animal. That animal was sacrificed in a namesake Korban, eaten on the 15th of Nisan, along with maror and matzo. All food items not kosher for it are known as chametz, and the Seder is eaten on the first two of its nights. For 10 points, name this holiday celebrating God's sparing of the Jews.

Passover

If a person is not able to sacrifice a lamb before this holiday begins, they may do so a month later on the 14th of Iyar, and on the eve of it, people often go around their homes with a candle, a feather, and a spoon which they will burn later. Other traditions of this holiday include counting the number of days until Shavout, which is called the Counting of the Omer, and the hiding of a dessert called (*) afikomen. Children answer the "Four Questions" during this holiday. Beginning on the 15th of Nisan, it also sees the eating of bitter herbs at a meal where participants drink four cups of wine. That meal is called the Seder and sees a man break pieces of matzah. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt.

Purim

Immediately before this holiday, the defeat of the tyrant Nikanor is celebrated and three halves of the local coin are offered to the poor on a minor fast day. The founder of Der Sturmer, Julius Streicher, made a sneering reference to this holiday moments before his hanging after the Nuremberg Trials. This holiday is celebrated on an alternate date in cities that had walls during Joshua's conquest of Israel. The bribe-money-filled pockets of one character are represented by the triangular pastries eaten on this holiday, in which graggers cause clamor in order to blot out the mention of a villain's name. Celebrated on the 14th of Adar, this holiday involves drinking until one cannot tell the defeat between Mordechai and Haman. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday which celebrates the heroism of Esther.

Simchat Torah

In Orthodox and Conservative synagogues, this ceremony is often accompanied by songs and dancing. Name this ceremony in which Jews remove Torah scrolls from the ark and parade them around the sanctuary seven times. Its name literally means "rejoicing with the Torah".

Purim

In cities that were once protected by a wall, this holiday's "Shushan" version occurs. Gifts are given on this day to prove unity, a custom known as "mishloach manot." Events that this holiday recounts include the festival of Ahasuerus, and one tradition on this holiday is drinking until the phrases "Blessed is Mordecai" and "Cursed is Haman" are indistinguishable. For 10 points, name this holiday celebrated on the fourteenth day of Adar, a holiday that commemorates the Jewish people's delivery from the Persians as told in the book of Esther.

Passover

In one song sung on this holiday, a butcher kills an ox for drinking water some time after a dog bites a cat who ate the title animal. This holiday, during which "One Little Goat" is sung, marks the start of the omer, a seven-week period between it and Shavuot. On the fifteenth of the month Nisan, its starting day, the youngest person present asks the Four Questions. This holiday's English name reflects the mercy of the Angel of Death, and its first two days feature a ritual meal, the Seder. For 10 points, name this eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, during which Jewish people eat unleavened matzah.

Rosh Hashanah

In one story about this holiday, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev cried after a shoe mender asked him if he needed anything mended before this holiday came. This holiday occurs shortly before the Fast of Gedalia. One ritual done during or just after this holiday involves going to a body of water and shaking out one's pockets to symbolize casting off sins; that ritual is called the (*) Tashlich. Elul is a time period immediately preceding this holiday. On this holiday, apples dipped in honey are eaten. For 10 points, name this first of the High Holy Days, which begins on the first day of Tishrei ten days before Yom Kippur, and commemorates the Jewish new year.

Shabbat

In some traditions, women sing the prayer "Gott Fun Avrohom" at this event's end. A special case of this day before Pesakh is the ha-Gadol one, while other special ones include Shekalim and Zakhor. One of its major observances can be modified by the triennial cycle. The muktzah are thirty-nine actions forbidden on this day, and it is introduced with the Kabbalat nusach. Its end is marked by a ritual involving ha-aysh and b'samim, the Havdalah service. A haftarah is read on this day to accompany a weekly Torah portion, which begins every Friday at sundown. For 10 points, name this Jewish day of rest.

Hanukkah

It isn't Purim, but on this holiday al ha-nissim is added to a prayer. On this holiday, many Hasidim recite Psalm 91 seven times after a certain action. The blessings L'hadlik neir and she-hekhianu are given on this holiday. The songs Hanerot Halalu and Ma'oz Tzur, or "Rock of Ages," are sung on this holiday. "Gelt" is a traditional gift of money on this holiday, which begins on the twenty-fifth of Kislev. The letters nun, gimel, hei, and shin are on an object used on this holiday. Celebrating events from the book of Maccabees, it commemorates a day's worth of oil lasting eight. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday during which people spin dreidels and light the Menorah.

Hanukkah

It's not Yom Kippur, but in one prayer recited on this holiday, the name of a more common occurrence is replaced with this holiday's name following the words "li-had-leek ner shel". The central object of this holiday is supposed to be set up in a window, to draw the attention of passers-by, and that object contains the special (*) shamash. This holiday celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over Antiochus and commemorates the time a single day's worth of oil burned for eight days. This event includes the consumption of fried latkes and the lighting of a special nine-branched menorah. For ten points, name this Jewish holiday, the wintertime Festival of Lights.

Sukkot

Jeroboam created a perverted version of this holiday in the northern Kingdom. Chapter three of the Mishna states that one fruit used in this holiday is not kosher if it is completely round or if it is missing its nipple. During this holiday, the Seven Shepherds are celebrated in the ushpizin prayer. This holiday contains the last of the Days of Judgement. Once every seven years, the king reads the Torah during this festival in a tradition known as (*) Hakhel. On the last day of this holiday, Hoshanah Rabbah, Jews beat the ground with the Aravah, Hadass, Lulav, and Etrog, which make up the Four Species and the leaves of which are used to build this holiday's namesake structures. For 10 points, name this holiday in which Jews recall travelling through the desert by living in temporary huts.

Purim

Jews in Jerusalem and other walled cities observe this holiday on the day after it is typically celebrated, and across Israel ad-lo-yada celebrations are held. This holiday features namesake masechet and spiels, which are liturgical parodies. Boiled peas and beans are customary features of this holiday's festive meal, and mishloach manot are baskets of food given to the (*) poor on this holiday. A controversial tradition on this holiday is the injunction for adult observers to drink until they cannot keep the hero and villain of its story straight. Another traditional food for this holiday is a folded, filled pastry called a hamantashen. To drown out the "memory of Amalek," children twirl noisemakers called graggers when the name "Haman" is uttered. For 10 points, name this "Feast of Lots" that sees the reading of the Book of Esther.

Shavuot

Karaites always celebrate this holiday on Sunday, and one tradition holds that King David was born and died on this day. A tradition is to study all night on this day, while others include the decoration of houses of worship and homes with flowers and the eating of a dairy meal. A poem by Meir of Worms, the Akdamut, is read on this day, as is the book of Ruth. Also known as the Closing festival, the Festival of Reaping, and the Day of the First Fruits, for ten points, name this second of the three Jewish harvest holidays, celebrating the giving of the Ten Commandments, which occurs 50 days after the end of Passover.

Purim

Like Hanukkah, this holiday features the addition of the Al-Ha-Nissim to the daily prayers. The charity obligatory on this day is known as "mattanot la-evyonim." On this holiday, bizarre questions about Jewish law are asked in this holiday's namesake form of Torah. At the Seudat meal on this day, one is supposed to be unable to tell "arur" from "baruch." This holiday is when the "misloach manot" gift baskets are handed out, and this holiday in the month of Adar is when gragers are used to drown out the name of Haman. For 10 points, name this holiday where Jews get drunk and wear costumes to celebrate Esther and Mordechai's end to a Persian genocide plot.

Sukkot

Many celebrants of this festival welcome in seven exalted guests with the ushpizin prayer. Items important to this holiday include the arba minin that represent the eye, mouth, heart, and spine, and are carried around the synagogue in the morning as prescribed in Leviticus 23. Adherents beat the ground with five willow branches on the last day of this festival, the Hoshana Rabba during which households bless the etrog and lulav. It begins on the 15th of Tishrei, five days after Yom Kippur and is also called the Feast of the Tabernacles. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday, a pilgrimage festival that features the building of temporary booths or huts.

Shabbat

Muktsah--thirty-nine forms of creative work--are prohibited on this day. At its opening, called kabbalat, this day is personified as a bride in the song "L'kha Dodi." One smells spices and dips a twisted candle in wine at the end of this holiday, a ceremony called (*) Havdalah. This weekly event begins with lighting candles, saying kiddush, and eating challah at sundown on Friday. For 10 points, name this weekly Jewish day of rest.

Shabbat

Near the end of this observance, sad songs are sung at Se'uda Shlishit, the third meal. On this holiday, the angels of peace are invited into the home by singing "Shalom Aleichem," and another song sung on this day during a service called its "Kabbalat" refers to this holiday as a "bride." That song is "L'chah Dodi," which mentions that the Bible says to "remember" and "keep" this day. It is also welcomed by lighting two candles, drinking wine, and eating two loaves of Challah bread. For 10 points, name this Jewish day of rest, occurring from Friday night until Saturday night every week.

Hanukkah

Observers of this holiday often eat jelly-filled doughnuts called sufganiyot (soof-GAH-nee-yoat) and potato pancakes called latkes. They may play a game with a spinning top whose sides are marked nun, gimel, hey, and shin on this holiday; that object is called a dreidel (DRAY-duhl). It commemorates the successful revolt against Antiochus (an-tee-OH-kuss) led by Judah Maccabee. For 10 points, name this wintertime Jewish holiday that includes the lighting of a Menorah.

the four species

On Sukkot, this set of plants was brought to the temple and waved, a practice that continues today

Yom Kippur

On the eve of this holiday, some followers perform the kapporot (kah-pah-ROHT) ritual of swinging a chicken over their heads. The Al Cheit (ahl KHAYT) and Ashamnu (ah-SHAHM-noo) are two prayers of this holiday, which once included the pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton by the High Priest. It closes with the Ne'ila (neh-EE-lah) service and includes the Aramaic (*) Kol Nidre (KOHL nee-DRAY) prayer. Requiring a twenty-five hour fast, it occurs on the tenth of Tishrei, five days before Sukkot (soo-KOHT) and about nine days after Rosh Hashana. For 10 points, name this Jewish day of atonement.

Yom Kippur

On this day alone, the Kohen Gadol wore white linen robes while pronouncing the Tetragrammaton. Its worship service ends with the Ne'ila and involves reading the Book of Jonah. This day, which features five prayers beginning with the Kol Nidre, takes place on the Tenth of Tishrei, ending the High Holy Days. It occurs five days before Sukkot and nine days after Rosh Hashanah. For 10 points, worshipers seek God's forgiveness while abstaining and fasting on what Jewish Day of Atonement?

Rosh Hashanah

On this holiday, Malkhuyot, Zikhronot, and another blessing are added to the Musaf service. On the eve of this holiday, Ashkenazi recite the Akeidah, Chatanu, and Techinah prayers, which are subsets of the Selichot prayers. Followed the next day by a fast commemorating Gedaliah, it is believed to be the day when God opens the Sefer HaChaim, or Book of Life. It also includes the tashlikh, a ceremony in which crumbs are thrown into an open body of water. Apples dipped in honey are consumed on this two-day holiday, which begins on the first of the ten Days of Awe. Immediately preceded by the month of Elul, it occurs on the first and second of Tishrei, about nine days before Yom Kippur. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday on which the shofar is blown to commemorate the new year.

Passover

On this holiday, a sacrifice involving three groups of laity occurs. In Israel, this holiday is seven days long, and the second day marks the beginning of the counting of the Omer. Samaritans observe this holiday by making a pilgrimage to Mount Gerizim. All chametz must be forsaken on this holiday, on which the youngest child says "Ma Nishtana" as a part of the (*) "four questions" ritual. Observers eat bitter herbs known as maror and a young lamb on this holiday, on which unleavened matzo bread is also consumed. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday that commemorates the Israelites' escape from Egypt after the tenth plague spared Jewish newborns.

Rosh Hashanah

On this holiday, adherents recite the Unetanneh Tokef and other piyuttim. On the afternoon of its first day, many adherents cast bread crumbs or pebbles into a body of water in a ritual symbolizing casting off one's sins called tashlikh. This festival is preceded by Elul. It begins a period in which the siddur is replaced by a prayer book called the makhzor, the Ten Days of Awe, and is traditionally celebrated by dipping apples in honey and blowing a ram's horn called the shofar. For 10 points, name this High Holy Day which precedes Yom Kippur, the Jewish New Year.

Yom Kippur

One ancient ritual on this day involved tying a red band around the horns of a goat and leading it off a cliff. It was the only day that the Kohen Gadol could enter the Holy of Holies. The traditional greeting on the eve of this holiday is "Tzom kal." This holiday, whose five prohibitions include wearing leather shoes and having sex, is bookended by the "Kol Nidre" and "Nei'la" prayers. This holiday occurs on the tenth of Tishrei, nine days after Rosh Hashanah. For 10 points, Jews fast for 25 hours on what Day of Atonement?

Yom Kippur

One custom associated with this holiday involves swinging a chicken around one's head, followed by its slaughtering. On this holiday, one goat is dedicated to Hashem and another is sent to Azazel [uh-ZEY-zuhl]. Also on this holiday, the Book of Jonah is read during the afternoon services. The fifth service, which marks the end of this holiday, is Neilah [nuh-ee-LAH], and a prayer chanted on the Eve of this holiday declares the annulment of all unfulfilled vows made to God, and is known as the Kol Nidre. Occuring five days before Sukkot, it is marked by about 25 hours of fasting. Observed on the tenth of Tishri, for 10 points what is this Jewish "Day of Atonement"?

Passover

One food item eaten during this holiday is named after the Greek word for dessert. At separate points during this holiday's central event, three and ten drops of wine are spilled. Ritual washings during that event are called Urchatz and Rach'tzah, and food items such as Maror, or bitter herbs, are consumed. The youngest children present traditionally sing a song known as Mah Nishtanah, which asks four questions about this holiday. The event on which this holiday is based involved the faithful marking their doors with lamb's blood; today, the main preparation for this holiday involves purging one's house of leavened bread. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday which commemorates the Exodus from Egypt.

Yom Kippur

One of the lesser laws of this day, according to the Shulchan Aruch is that one is not allowed to wash past the knuckles, while, as on their wedding and burial duys, men wear a white robe called a kittel. In the days of the Temple, the Kohen Gadol would wash his hands and feet a total of ten times, sacrifice a goat for Azazel, wear five sets of clothing and pronounce the name of Hashem (unfinished; Penn 2010 Maryland A)

Shabbat

One often prepares a stew called hamin just before the start of this time period so that it would finish during it. Having marital sex is not melacha during this time period. The song "l'cha dodi" is sung just prior to this time period and compares it to a bride. Some families hire a goy to extinguish (*) lighted candles and light a fire in the oven during this time period in Orthodox communities. At this time period's end, a braided candle is dipped in wine when three stars are in the sky during the havdalah ceremony. The Fourth Jewish Commandment mandates observance of this holiday. Often observed as the "Lord's Day" in Christianity, for 10 points, name this day of rest in the Jewish week.

Shabbat

One prayer on this holiday contains the words "Ki vanu vacharta v'otanu kidashta mikol ha-amim." A stew called hamin is often prepared before this holiday, the subject of the imperative Hebrew words "shamor" and "zachor" in a song likening it to a bride. This holiday's namesake "goys" help people uphold 39 injunctions called melakhot, and it concludes when a braided candle is dipped in wine at the Havdalah ceremony. A braided, eggy bread called challah is traditionally eaten after saying Kiddush and lighting candles on this holiday's evening dinner. For 10 points, name this holiday begun on Friday evenings, a weekday on which Jews rest.

Passover

One song performed during this holiday asks "mah nishtanah," while another repeats "Dayenu" while praising the good deeds of God. Participants of this holiday perform the rachtzah before eating a special foodstuff lacking chametz. During this holiday, children can negotiate for a reward after finding the (*) afikoman, a special half-piece of matzah. Participants symbolically use their little finger to place ten drops of wine on their plate to symbolize the plagues which struck the Pharaoh's lands during the main meal of this holiday, the seder. For ten points, name this holiday commemorating the Jewish exodus from Egypt.

Hanukkah

People celebrating this holiday often sing the songs "Mi Y'maleil?" (ME UH-mal-ell) and "Ma'oz Tzur" (MAH-oz TSUHR). This holiday takes place on the twenty-fifth day of Kislev, and commemorates the successful rebellion against Antiochus IV by the sons of Mattathias. During this holiday, believers give gifts of gelt, eat (*) latkes, and gamble by spinning a dreidel. This holiday celebrates an oil lamp in the Second Temple miraculously lasting eight days by having people light eight candles on a menorah. For 10 points, name this Jewish wintertime holiday.

Tisha B'Av

Phylacteries are worn during the minchah service on this day. A period in which meat is not consumed lasts from the beginning of the month in which this holiday occurs until after this day, with an exception on the Sabbath. Traditionally, the messiah will be born on this day. In addition to the Five Calamities, both the English and Spanish explusions of the Jews came on this day. The book of Lamentations is read on this day, which is the only sundown-to-sundown fast other than Yom Kippur. For 10 points, name this Jewish fast day which commemorates the return of Moses's spies from Canaan, the end of the Bar Kochba revolt, the razing of Jerusalem, and the destruction of both Temples.

Sukkot

Prayers said during this festival include the ushpizin, and on the final day of this holiday, seven circuits are made around the synagogue. Like Passover, most of its days are called Chol Ha-Mo'ed and feature relaxed restrictions. Just after it are the holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. Observers of this festival use the "Four Species" of plants during the Hallel prayer. It begins on the 15th of Tishri, and during it, participants dwell inside a small hut with two-and-a-half of the walls covered. For 10 points, name this Jewish harvest festival, also called the Festival of Booths.

Passover

Samaritans make pilgrimages to Mount Gerizim on this holiday. The Maharal of Prague hypothesized that cups of a beverage traditionally imbibed during it represent women from this holiday's religion. One traditional food item is consumed while reclining during this holiday, although women may be required to sit upright, and that item must be eaten before midnight. In some cases, chametz may be symbolically sold to gentiles rather than burned prior to it. The Four Questions and matzo are parts of this holiday. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday celebrating an event that saw houses marked with lamb's blood spared from the tenth plague.

Purim

Shoshanas Yaakov and Kacha yay'ase are sometimes sung on this holiday. Seeds and nuts are sometimes but not always eaten on this holiday, because traditionally one person who this holiday celebrates had no access to kosher food. Participants in this holiday who have obtained bar mitzvah must send mishloach manot. When this holiday falls on a Friday, it is given the designation HaMeshulash, which means that it is celebrated in three parts, and people sometimes celebrate this holiday with a gragger, or noisemaker. Celebrated on the fourteenth of Adar, this holiday often features the cooking of hamentaschen, which are named for the evil ruler that oppressed the Hebrew. For ten points, identify this holiday on which the book of Esther is read, which commemorates the deliverance of the Jews.

Passover

Some modern observers of this holiday use an orange to represent excluded women and gays, and its traditional songs include "One Little Goat." Preceded by the elimination of chametz from houses, its observance on the 15th of Nisan includes the spilling of ten drops of wine and Four Questions asked by the youngest person present. Initiated by the Seder, for 10 points, name this eight-day holiday in which Jews celebrate the exodus from Egypt by eating unleavened matzah.

Sukkot

Some observers of this holiday recite the ushpizin prayer, symbolically welcoming seven female guests along with the seven shepherds of Israel. It was the first holiday observed after resuming sacrifices in Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity. Although it is not Passover, the Ya'aleh v'Yavo prayer is recited on its days referred to as Chol ha-Mo'ed. On final day of this holiday, Hoshana Rabbah, observers beat the ground with five willow branches after circling a synagogue seven times with a lulav and etrog. Beginning on the 15th of Tishrei, this holiday is immediately followed by Shemini Atzeret, and it entails building booths covered by s'chach. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday that follows Yom Kippur, also known as the Feast of the Tabernacles.

Shavuot

Some people observing this holiday choose to eat at least one dairy meal in observence of Chalav. This was the first occasion that individuals could bring Bikkurim, or first fruits, to the Temple in Jerusalem. This occasion begins on the sixth of Sivan with a reading of the Akdamut. The book of Ruth is customarily read during this holiday. One custom in the period preceding this holiday commemorates a plague during the lifetime of Rabbi Akiva. It is customary to stay up all night studying the Torah at its end, and this holiday itself ends the Counting of the Omer. Celebrating the same event as Pentecost, this is, for 10 points, name this member of the shalosh regalim, a Jewish Festival of Weeks commemorating Moses's receipt of the Ten Commandments.

Hanukkah

The Al ha-Nissim addition is made to the hoda'ah benediction in the prayer service for this holiday, which includes the reading of Zechariah 2:14-4:7. The final moments of this holiday include the reading of the verse "This was the dedication of the altar" on its final day, which is known as Zot. The medieval German hymn Ma'oz Tzur is sung during this holiday, which sees the wide consumption of latkes. This holiday was borne from a struggle against Antiochus and included an incident in which a container of oil kept a menorah burning for eight days. Gelt is distributed and dreidel is played on, for 10 points, what winter Jewish holiday?

Rosh Hashanah

The Book of Numbers is used as a guide for the teki'ah and shevarim, two actions associated with a ceremony often performed on this holiday. Piyuttim poems are added to services during this holiday. This day honors God's opening of the Sefer Hachaim, and the ceremony of (*) tashlikh during it symbolizes the casting away of one's sins as one throws pebbles into a river. It begins the ten days of the Yamim Nora'im, which is often preceded by a period in which the selichot prayers are recited. It falls on the first day of Tishrei, occurring nine days before Yom Kippur. If it does not fall on the Shabbat, then the shofar is blown during this holiday. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday commemorating the New Year.

Hanukkah

The Haftarah starting at Zechariah 2:14 is read on this holiday. One song connected with this holiday is a round with the drawn-out word "Shma" and is entitled "Mi YeMalel", while another is the "Hanerot Hallalu" blessing. The shamash is a helper for the main ceremony of this holiday. In Israel, the letter Pey, instead of Shin, accompanies Nun, Gimel, and Hey on a top used in a game on this holiday, which also involves the singing of the Ma'oz Tzur, or Rock of Ages. Beginning on the 25th of Kislev, it commemorates a revolt by the Maccabees and includes a candle-lighting ceremony for eight nights. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday known as the "Festival of Lights".

Rosh Hashanah

The Zohar cites Job 1:6 and Job 2:1 to establish a two-day framework for celebration of this holiday. The Talmud states that the prediction of one's losses during the next year occurs on this holiday, whose first afternoon includes the tashlikh, or recitation of prayer near flowing water. The "days of awe" precede this holiday, which is followed by the fast day of Gedalia. If this holiday lies on the Shabbat, the Shofar is not played, but gefilte fish, apples, and honey are served regardless. Occurring during Tishrei, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar, for 10 points, name this Jewish celebration of the New Year.

Passover

The entire Hallel is only recited on the first day of this holiday, which begins on the 15th of Nisan. Before its observation, all chametz must be removed. Maror and charoset are among the special foods consumed on this holiday, on which observers eat bitter herbs to remember the enslavement of their people. This observance is also called the Feast of the Unleavened Bread. For 10 points, give this Jewish holiday named for the Angel of Death sparing the lives of the firstborn sons, which celebrates the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt.

Purim

The holy book of this holiday includes the conspiracy of Bigtan and Teresh, and it involves the exchanging of food baskets known as mishloach manot. Its story involves a 180-day feast in which Vashti refused to dance for guests; that reading of that story on the 14th of Adar requires saying the name of ten sons in one breath and using noisemakers called groggers to blot out the villain's name. That villain, Haman, despises Mordecai and is foiled by Esther in trying to kill Persia's Jews. For 10 points, name this Jewish spring holiday involving costumes and masks.

Yom Kippur

The korbanot that takes place on this day is described in detail in the Musaf prayer at the Avodah service given by the High Priest. During evening prayers on this day, married men wear a white robe called a kittel. On the eve of this holiday, celebrators recite in Aramaic the renouncement of all personal vows made during the coming year. The entirety of the Book of Jonah is read during this holiday, after which a recitation of the Shema Yisrael concludes the evening services. The Kol Nidre is recited during this holiday, whose five prohibitions include the wearing of leather shoes. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday observed on the 10th of Tishrei, known as the Day of Atonement.

Tu Bishvat

This Jewish holiday is known as the "New Year for trees." It features a seder at which dried fruits and nuts are traditionally eaten.

Purim

This celebration uses a descending minor third for "zakef katon" in its unique set of tropes. The onomatopoetic refrain "Hava narisha, rash, rash, rash" is in a song about this holiday. Its "Katan" form is in a month marked "Bet" in seven years out of every nineteen. The names of ten sons are said in one breath on this holiday, whose stories include eunuchs named Bigtan and Teresh. Observers give out baskets of ready-made food, and remember pockets, ears, and/or (*) hats by eating similarly-shaped cookies. A megillah featuring a large gallows and a hero in Shushan is read on this holiday, on which drunk congregants wave groggers to drown out Haman's name. For 10 points, name this costume holiday which celebrates the saving of Persian Jews by Esther.

17th of Tammuz

This fast day commemorates the breach of the walls of Jerusalem before the Second Temple was destroyed, as well as the destruction of the tablets displaying the Ten Commandments. It occurs forty days after Shavuot.

Purim

This holiday is often celebrated with comic plays and puppet shows called its namesake "speils." This holiday can also involve singing the song "Shoshanat Yaakov" and eating Fazuelos. Many celebrants of this holiday also share gift baskets called "Misloach manot." Another custom of this holiday is shaking a gragger during the reading of a story that includes the demotion of Vashti and the construction of giant gallows. This holiday, which is held on the fourteenth of Adar, celebrates the heroism of Mordecai and the death of the evil Haman. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday which and celebrates the story of Esther.

Rosh Hashanah

This holiday occurs on the day before the Fast of Gedaliah, and it is believed to be the day on which God inscribes one's fate into the Book of Life. Its observers metaphorically cast off their sins into a body of water in a ritual known as tashlikh. Apples dipped in honey are consumed during this holiday, which begins the Days of Awe. A ram's horn called the shofar is blown to satisfy the commandment of making T'ruah, and it incorporates the greeting "shana tova." For 10 points, name this holiday occurring at the beginning of Tishrei, the Jewish New Year.

Shemini Atzeret

This holiday sees the second yearly recitation of the Yizkot prayer, while the Musaf service on this day features the tefillat geshem, the prayer for rain. Identify this holiday celebrated on the 22nd of Tishrei. Depending on the tradition, it is either the day before Simchat Torah or contemporaneous with it.

Passover

This holiday sees the singing of the Chad Gadya, and some observants use an orange to represent support for women rabbis. Along with Sukkot, this holiday includes days designated Chol HaMoed. The [*] haggadah for this holiday lays out the Ma Nishtana, or Four Questions, which concern reclining, double-dipping, and the eating of maror and matzah, which is not chametz, and ask "Why is this night different from every other night?" Celebrated with the seder, for 10 points, name this holiday commemorating God's sparing of the Jews from the Angel of Death.

Shavuot

This holiday was once the first day on which the Bikkurim ceremony could be performed, wherein the seven species would be brought to the temple. The Akdamut, a poem by Rabbi Meir of Worms, is read during this holiday, on which dairy products are consumed and the Book of Ruth is read. This holiday occurs sixteen days after a holiday on which hair is cut and it marks the end of Omer. It is one of the three pilgrimage festivals along with Pesach and Sukkot. For ten points name this Jewish holiday that celebrates the giving of the Torah to Moses, which falls on the same day as Pentecost and is known as the Feast of Weeks.

Hanukkah

This holiday's observations include the singing of "Mi Yih-maleil" and "Ma'oz Tzur." One object used on this holiday is inscribed with an acronym for "nes gadol hayah sham" and is spun in a game to win (*) gelt; another object has a place for the shamash, which is used to light up to eight other candles. Commemorating the miracle of the Temple menorah after the overthrow of Antiochus by Judah Maccabee, name this Jewish winter holiday featuring dreidels and latkes.

Hanukkah

This is the first holiday of the year in which "Al Ha-Nissim" is added to the Amidah. Hillel and Shammai debated whether a ritual for this holiday should be done increasingly or decreasingly; that ritual involves a shamash. On this holiday, children play a game involving a device marked with initials referring to "a great miracle" and sing songs including "Ma'oz Tsur". The aforementioned device is a dreidel, and the miracle of this holiday is oil in the Temple burning for eight days after a revolt led by Judah Maccabee. Name this Jewish festival that includes the lighting of a nine-branched menorah.

Yom Kippur

This observance comes after the Fast of Gedalia, which laments the assassination of a governor of Judea, and selections from the Book of Hosea are read during Shabbat Shuvah that precedes this holiday. Three successively louder recitations of the prayer of "Kol nidre," or "all vows," on the evening of this holiday represent the congregation's hope to be scribed in the Book of Life. Many Jews wear white kittels to symbolize purity during this holiday, which is accompanied by five purifying prohibitions. For 10 points, name this tenth day of Tishrei, the Day of Atonement, which follows the High Holy Days and the celebration of Rosh Hashanah.

Seder

This tradition was reformed by King Josiah, and the Second-Temple era service focused on Psalms 113 through 118. Traditional songs associated with this observance include Adir Hu and Had Gadya. Upon reciting the acronym "D'tzach adash b'achav," wine is spilled. The Magid begins with a discussion of "the bread of affliction", and also includes the tale of the Four Sons and the Four Questions. Also including the breaking of the middle matzah and hiding of the afikoman, the story of the Exodus is told before the meal is eaten. For 10 points, name this traditional Passover meal.

Sukkot

Two objects sacred to this holiday, which resemble mouths and eyes respectively, are the aravah and the hadass. On its religion's calendar, this holiday is the first of the Shalosh Regalim each year. A prayer said on this holiday addressed to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, and David, seven Biblical shepherds, honors guests called ushpizin. The Hoshanah Rabbah is observed at the end of this holiday; right after that, Shemini Atzeret follows after this third holiday in the month of Tishrei. Four species of plants, including the lulav branch and etrog citrus fruit, are waved around on this holiday, which remembers the Israelites' wandering in the desert. For 10 points, name this week-long Jewish autumn holiday, whose observers build and live in outdoor wooden booths.

Purim

Unlike most Jewish holidays, business transactions may continue during this festive event, which is often preceded by a day of fasting. During this holiday, it is customary to "blot out the name of" the son of Amalek each of the 54 times his name appears during the reading of the Megillah. This holiday commemorates events that occurred in Shushan, including God's foiling of the plot of the vizier to King Ahaseurus to kill every Jew in the Persian Empire. Luckily for the Jews, Haman was stopped by Mordecai. For 10 points, name this Jewish holiday during which it is customary to be charitable, give candy to friends, and read from the Book of Esther.