Question 1

True or false: The word 'Passover' comes from God 'passing over' the Israelites’ homes during the plague of the firstborn.

Accepted Answer

True. Yes, Exodus 12 describes God 'passing over' houses marked with lamb’s blood, sparing the firstborn inside. Hence the holiday’s name.

Question 2

True or false: Passover always falls on the same date every year on the Gregorian calendar.

Accepted Answer

False. Passover follows the Hebrew calendar, so its Gregorian date shifts between March and April each year, similar to Easter.

Question 3

True or false: It is customary to hide a piece of matzah (the afikoman) for children to find as a game.

Accepted Answer

True. Yes, the afikoman is broken and hidden during the seder. Kids search for it, and the finder gets a prize. It’s a fun tradition to keep children engaged.

Question 4

True or false: During Passover, many Jews avoid not just bread but also rice and legumes due to a medieval custom.

Accepted Answer

True. Ashkenazi Jews traditionally avoid kitniyot (rice, beans, corn) since the Middle Ages, though many Sephardic Jews do not. This is less common today.

Question 5

True or false: Passover is the only Jewish holiday where eating bread is explicitly commanded.

Accepted Answer

False. Actually, the opposite is true: chametz (leavened bread) is strictly forbidden during Passover. Matzah, unleavened bread, is commanded instead.

Question 6

True or false: Many American seders include an orange on the Seder plate as a symbol of inclusion.

Accepted Answer

True. Since the 1980s, some Jews add an orange to represent women and LGBTQ+ people. It’s a modern, not ancient, tradition.

Question 7

True or false: The Seder plate always includes a shank bone to represent the lamb sacrificed in the Temple.

Accepted Answer

False. While a shank bone (zeroah) is common, many vegetarians substitute a roasted beet or other symbol. It’s not a mandatory item for all Jews.

Question 8

True or false: Matzah is made from any of five grains, including wheat, barley, and oats.

Accepted Answer

False. Matzah is typically made only from wheat, though some use spelt. Barley and oats are not traditional matzah grains—the five grains are wheat, barley, spelt, rye, and oats.

Passover Trivia Questions