Halakhah Quiz

Jewish authorities have produced over time a major body of legal texts, governing nearly every aspect of Jewish practice--or Halakhah. How much do you know about Jewish law and its foundational texts?

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Question 1. What does the Conservative movement believe about halakhah?
 It lost its relevance for the current generation.
 It continues to be relevant, but is not static.
 It is an Orthodox fabrication.
 It is a Reform fabrication.

 

Question 2. While studying halakhah, which of the following did the yeshivas of Lithuania emphasize in the 1800s and early 1900s?
 Practical application
 Theoretical application
 They emphasized both equally

 

Question 3. What did the book Sefer Me'irat Einayim try to do to the Shulhan Arukh?
 It filled in the blanks in the scope of the Shulhan.
 It systematically disagreed with each point made.
 It translated the Shulhan into modern Hebrew.
 It provided a Reform equivalent for the Shulhan.

 

Question 4. In halahkic texts, what does the word teshuva mean?
 An unanswered question
 A responsum
 A convening court
 An obligation

 

Question 5. How many voting members serve on Committee of Jewish Law and Standards for the Conservative Movement?
 3
 18
 25
 70
 120

 

Question 6. Which of these primary halakhic texts was written first?
 Arba'ah Turim
 Shulhan Arukh
 Mishneh Torah
 Igrot Moshe

 

Question 7. What is the Mishneh Torah?
 The oral commentary to the Torah, relating additional stories and laws
 The written commentary to the Torah, relating additional stories and laws
 A summary of laws relating to all areas of Jewish life, composed by Maimonides
 A tool of interpretation which assumes that every word, letter, and even stroke of the pen in the Torah has meaning

 

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