How well do you know Purim? Test your knowledge with this diabolical quiz

We’d be the first to admit some of the questions on this Purim quiz are deep cuts. But you’re not supposed to get them all right. You’re supposed to learn something.

Good luck!

(Answers at the bottom.)

1. Rabbinic commentators have offered several possible explanations for the party Achashverosh throws at the beginning of the Megillah. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

a) He had completed construction of his palace
b) He had calculated that the Holy Temple would no longer be rebuilt
c) It was his wedding feast
d) It was his birthday

2. In the Purim story, a messenger named Hatach relays correspondence between Esther and Mordechai. The Talmud says that Hatach is the same person as which biblical prophet?

a) Jonah
b) Job
c) Elijah
d) Daniel

3. The city of Shushan, where the Purim story largely takes place, is based on the ancient Persian city of Susa. What invading group ultimately destroyed Susa, leading to its abandonment?

a) Romans in the 2nd century
b) Muslims in the 7th century
c) Christians in the 11th century
d) Mongols in the 13th century

4. Jerusalem is the only city in the world that celebrates Purim only on the 15th of Adar. But Jewish residents of a few cities read the megillah on both the 14th and the 15th of Adar, because of doubts about whether they were walled at the time of the prophet Joshua. Which of the following is NOT one of those cities?

a) Jaffa
b) Caesarea
c) Acre
d) Tiberias

5. The custom of drinking on Purim until one cannot distinguish between Haman and Mordechai (“ad d’lo yada”) is attributed to which 4th-century sage?

a) Rava
b) Rabbi Yochanan
c) Rabbi Akiva
d) Reish Lakish

6. Who was the first U.S. president to host a Purim party at the White House?

a) George W. Bush
b) Barack Obama
c) Donald Trump
d) Joe Biden

7. Which of the following prayers borrows phrasing from the Megillah?

a) The Havdalah service
b) The Shehecheyanu blessing
c) The Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel
d) All of the above

8. The largest Israeli Purim parade is held each year in which Tel Aviv-adjacent city?

a) Petach Tikva
b) Ramat Gan
c) Holon
d) Bnei Brak

9. Which of the following is NOT a real Purim seudah (feast) tradition?

a) In Morocco, baking hard-boiled eggs inside a challah and calling them “Haman’s eyes”
b) In Greece, leaving “Haman-shaped” cakes on the windowsill from Shabbat until the feast
c) In Austria, serving headless gingerbread cookies called “Hamankinder”
d) In Uzbekistan, building “Snow Hamans” and melting them with a bonfire after the feast

10. The world’s oldest known megillah scroll is nearly three feet tall and dates to the late 14th century or early 15th century. Where is it located?

a) Israel State Archives
b) National Library of Israel
c) Cairo Geniza
d) Library of Congress

Answers below the photo!

Answers:

1. a
2. d
3. d
4. b
5. a
6. b
7. a
8. c
9. c
10. d