Jewish Blessings Trivia Quiz

Answer: Yes

Yes, there is a blessing to be recited when seeing a powerful ruler, like a head of state. The blessing is "Blessed are You ... who has given of His glory to mortal man".

Answer: On seeing a rainbow

The rainbow is a reminder that the Almighty will not destroy the earth by flood again. In the story of Noah from the book of Genesis, we are told "I have set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between the Lord and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth". (Genesis IX, verses 12 and 16.) This blessing is recited in remembrance of His promise.

Answer: Search for leavened bread (before Passover)

The day before the Passover holiday begins, it is traditional to search the house in order to look for any leavened products left behind. Before beginning the search, one recites a special blessing. This blessing is said only once a year, regardless of whether one celebrates one or two days of Passover.

The blessing over the Hanukkah candles is recited each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. The blessing recited before reading the "Megilat Esther" is recited twice every year, since the Megila is recited at night, and then the following day. Of course, the blessing over bread is recited each time one eats bread, and that might be several times a day! (Thanks to Rabbi Shrafman of Baltimore for this question!)

Answer: Grace after meals

There are, indeed, a number of blessings over foods. However, "benching" always refers to the Grace after Meals (birkat hamazon). The Grace after Meals is recited after a meal that began by breaking bread, and it is actually a series of several blessings.

These blessings differ depending on whether it is a weekday, a Sabbath or a holiday, and whether one is eating at one's own table, at one's parents, or a guest. There are further additions if the meal is a wedding or circumcision feast. It has become customary to print small pamphlets containing the Grace after Meals to give as favors at bar and bat mitzvahs and weddings - the name of the celebrant and the date of the happy occasion are printed on the cover.

Answer: False

This is absolutely false! Since all blessings contain the name of Almighty, make a blessing for no reason is tantamount to take the Lord's name in vain. When learning or practicing blessing, the student substitutes various euphemisms to avoid this problem.

Answer: Diamonds

The diamond business has traditionally been a Jewish business, due to complex historical reasons. The diamond market is run by its own code of ethics and operates its own disciplinary courts. Diamond deals, the world over, are concluded with the words "A mazal and a bracha", even if one dealer is Japanese and the other from India! Appropriately, the newsletter of the diamond trade is titled "A Mazal and a Bracha". "A Stranger Among Us" is a film starring Melanie Griffith dealt with Hassidic diamond dealers and was released in 1992.

Answer: Amen

The word "amen" is probably one of the most recognizable Hebrew words, and comes from the same root as the word "belief". It would certainly be appropriate to respond to a blessing by saying "amen" - it wouldn't be rude at all! In fact, saying "amen" is so important that many people make a practice of saying their blessings rather loudly in order to ensure that others hear them and respond with a resounding "amen!".

Answer: Blessing of Thanksgiving

Birkat haGomel, or the Blessing of Thanksgiving, is recited during the reading of the Torah in the synagogue. This, of course, requires a minyan, or quorum of ten adult men in the Orthodox tradition. (In Conservative and Reform Judaism, both women and men are counted in the minyan.) This blessing is recited by people who have recovered from a serious illness (including childbirth) long journeys, or who have been released from captivity.

The blessing says " Blessed are You ... who has bestowed favor on the undeserving and has shown me every kindness."

Answer: Seven

Seven blessings are recited while the bride and groom stand under the chuppah, or wedding canopy. The first blessing recited is over wine, and concludes with this blessing "Blessed are You ... who has created the groom and bride, joy and gladness, delight and cheer, love and harmony, peace and companionship." Often, the blessings will be recited by various family members and friends of the new couple.

Answer: All of these

The "Shehecheyanu blessing" thanks the Almighty for allowing one to reach an important landmark. This could be something as seemingly banal as eating the first apple in the autumn, or putting on a new pair of shoes. It could be a grander occasion - like finishing university, or moving into a new home.

In any event, it indicates that the person making the blessing doesn't take his good fortune for granted. And I would like to bless you, the quiz-taker, with the most important of all Jewish blessings - zie gezunt! you should have good health!