PURIM TRIVIA GAME* [Answers.] 1. True or False: Purim is a major Jewish holiday. [False. It is not mentioned in the Five Books of Moses or Torah. The High Holy Days, Passover and Festivals are considered major holidays.] 2. True or False: Purim is celebrated everywhere only on one day in the Hebrew month of Adar? [False. Purim is celebrated on 14th day of Adar in most places, but in Jerusalem and other walled cities (like Shuhsan of ancient Persia where it originated) it is celebrated on the 15th of Adar since the news of the Jews victory took longer to get dispersed to outlying areas.] 3. True or False: The name Purim is derived from a Hebrew word whose plural form means “lots” relating to a kind of lottery drawing. [True. It derives also from Aramaic for “a small smooth object” tossed to determine a winner. It is thought that Haman used a random drawing to select the day on which the Jews were to be annihilated.] 4. True or False: This holiday originated with an historic event in the 5th century BCE in the ancient land of Israel. [False. It originated with an event circa the 5th century in Shushan, Persia, today known as Iran.] 5. Why is the name of G-d not mentioned even once in the entire Book of Esther from which Purim originated? [Since the original was written in the form of a scrolled letter sent to the far off areas of the Kingdom to describe the reason for celebration, it was open to great risks of being mishandled or desecrated. It is thought that omitting the holy name prevented it from being desecrated.] 6. Why is Purim such a joyous holiday that it allows and even encourages a lot of wine drinking and partying? [It represents the great joy of overcoming the power of wicked Haman and success in saving the Jews. But it also recalls that victory was gained in part by a clever strategy used by Esther which involved many nights of feasting and wine-drinking.] 7. What does the word “hamantashen” really mean? And why do we eat them on Purim? [These are 3 cornered pastries which originally were filled with poppyseeds. The word means “ Haman’s pockets” in German, possibly mocking to Haman’s power having come from filling his pockets with bribe money or stolen riches prior to his downfall.] 8. What is the significance or symbolism of the three corners of a hamantash? [The traditional explanation was that Esther took strength from Judaism’s three founders, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Any reference to resembling Haman’s hat came much later and no evidence could be found for it.] 9. What is special about the Megillah that is read on Purim? How has the word Megillah come to be used in everyday English language, that is, what does it imply or stand for? [It was a standalone book found written in the form of a scroll detailing the story of Esther, her cousin Mordecai, and against all odds, their convincing the non-Jewish power, King Ahasueras, to take their side against the threats of his second in command, Haman. As used in everyday English, a “big megillah” refers to a very long, detailed story.] 10. How did Esther manage victory over the 2nd most powerful man in her country thus saving her fellow Jews from annihilation? [Well. You need to hear the whole megillah… but she was able to replace the existing Queen in the affections of the King but not by beauty alone. ] *Source: The Jewish Book of Why by Alfred J. Kolatch (1981). .