The Seventh Day Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Sabbath has kept the Jews.

This quotation comes from Ahad Ha'am, the Jewish philosopher. He made the remark in an article in a Berlin newspaper in 1898, in reaction to a movement by Reform Judaism to move the Sabbath to Sunday. Needless to say, that idea failed and all streams of Judaism- Reform, Conservative and Orthodox- observe the Sabbath on Saturday, although the way they observe it differs greatly.

Answer: From sundown Friday until sundown on Saturday.

In the story of Creation, which appears in the book of Genesis, we are told, "it was evening, it was morning, the first day", etc. This is the reason the Jewish day, including the Sabbath day, extend from sunset to sunset. In order to avoid accidentally desecrating the Sabbath, it is ushered in shortly before sunset on Friday.

Answer: Lighting of the candles.

Traditionally, the woman of the house lights the candles and makes the blessing over them, though a man may light candles if he is on his own. The minimum number of candles is two, though some women light more. For instance, some women light an additional candle for each child. Candle-lighting time is an excellent time for a woman to add her own, private prayer.

Answer: A Woman of Valor.

A Woman of Valor, which comes from Proverbs: 31, describes the ideal Jewish wife- industrious, intelligent, and generous. The song ends with "Charm is deceit and beauty is vanity, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised". "A Woman of Valor" is actually an alphabetic acrostic in the original Hebrew.

The husband sings "A Woman of Valor" at the Sabbath table in order to thank his wife for her efforts in preparing the Sabbath.

Answer: Musaf.

Shacharit, mincha and ma'ariv are the three prayer services held daily. Musaf, which means "addition", is added on the Sabbath and holidays, and follows the morning prayer, or shacharit. The Torah is taken out of the Holy Ark and chanted during the Musaf service.

Answer: False

The commandment to observe the Sabbath appears in Exodus 20:8, as the fourth of the Ten Commandments. The commandment is repeated several times, including Exodus 31:13, where we are told that those who do not observe the Sabbath should be put to death! In addition, Leviticus 29:3 and Deuteronomy 5:12 reiterate the importance of the Sabbath.

Answer: All of these.

The importance of the Sabbath in Jewish family and communal life cannot be over-emphasized. With the distractions of the modern world, like computers and televisions, put aside for a full day, families can gather around the table to talk or sing. It is a traditional time to entertain friends and relatives, as well for prayer and the study of holy books.

The Kiddush (sanctification) blessing made on Friday night and Saturday morning states"...in memory of the work of Creation and ...the Exodus from Egypt...".

The Exodus from Egypt is mentioned because as slaves, the Jewish people were unable to observe the Sabbath.

Answer: In order to turn on an inhalation machine for a person with a severe asthma attack.

The Sabbath may be put aside for "pikuach nefesh", or when someone's life or health is endangered. Certainly, a person suffering from a serious asthma attack would be permitted to turn on an electric inhalator, although he might be instructed not to turn it off after finishing the treatment. The other examples would not warrant desecrating the Sabbath.

Answer: Eruv

Jewish law prohibits carrying anything, even a key, in a public domain. This is particularly restrictive for families with small children who are too young to walk, since they may not be carried or pushed in a carriage outside the house. The eruv, a symbolic enclosure formed by stringing a wire or other line between telephone poles, trees, etc., makes life much easier for Sabbath-observing families. Most communities in Israel have an eruv, and some communities in the Diaspora have organized an eruv as well.

Answer: Havdalah.

"Havdalah" means, "to differentiate". This lovely ceremony is conducted after three stars are visible in the Saturday night sky. Blessings are made over wine, a candle and a sweet-smelling spice. Family members and friends wish one another "Shavua Tov", or a "Good Week".