Yom Kippur Kids Quiz: Curious About the Day of Atonement?

Fast into facts! A fun, kid-friendly quiz exploring Yom Kippur traditions, meaning, and symbols — perfect for curious 12+ minds.

  1. What is the English name commonly used for יום כיפור?
    1. Day of Judgment
    2. Yom Kippur
    3. Sabbath
    4. Passover
  2. How long does the traditional daytime fast of Yom Kippur last?
    1. 24 hours
    2. 12 hours
    3. 25 hours
    4. 36 hours
  3. Which prayer service is unique to Yom Kippur and considered central to the day?
    1. Ne'ila
    2. Kol Nidre
    3. Mincha
    4. Havdalah
  4. Which symbolic item do some men wear during Yom Kippur to remind them of purity?
    1. Yarmulke
    2. Tallit
    3. Kittel
    4. Tefillin
  5. Which biblical book contains the laws and rituals of Yom Kippur involving the high priest and the scapegoat?
    1. Numbers
    2. Deuteronomy
    3. Exodus
    4. Leviticus
  6. What is the term for seeking forgiveness from people you’ve wronged before Yom Kippur?
    1. Teshuva
    2. Selichot
    3. Tzedakah
    4. Hiddur
  7. Which sound signals the end of Yom Kippur in many communities?
    1. Shofar
    2. Kol Nidre
    3. Havdalah
    4. Chanting

Answers and explanations

  1. Question: What is the English name commonly used for יום כיפור?
    Answer: Yom Kippur
    Explanation: Yom Kippur literally means 'Day of Atonement' and is the holiest day in Judaism; many mistakenly call it 'Day of Judgment', which is related but not the common English name.
  2. Question: How long does the traditional daytime fast of Yom Kippur last?
    Answer: 25 hours
    Explanation: The fast extends from before sunset one evening until after nightfall the next, totaling about 25 hours rather than a simple daylight-only fast.
  3. Question: Which prayer service is unique to Yom Kippur and considered central to the day?
    Answer: Ne'ila
    Explanation: Ne'ila is the closing service of Yom Kippur; people might confuse it with Kol Nidre, which is actually the evening service that begins Yom Kippur.
  4. Question: Which symbolic item do some men wear during Yom Kippur to remind them of purity?
    Answer: Kittel
    Explanation: A kittel is a white robe worn by some during services to symbolize purity and equality; it's not a tallit (prayer shawl) though both are white.
  5. Question: Which biblical book contains the laws and rituals of Yom Kippur involving the high priest and the scapegoat?
    Answer: Leviticus
    Explanation: Leviticus describes the Temple rites and the scapegoat practice; people often think Deuteronomy lists festivals, but the Yom Kippur rituals are in Leviticus.
  6. Question: What is the term for seeking forgiveness from people you’ve wronged before Yom Kippur?
    Answer: Teshuva
    Explanation: Teshuva means repentance and repair of relationships; some confuse it with 'selichot', which are penitential prayers said during the period.
  7. Question: Which sound signals the end of Yom Kippur in many communities?
    Answer: Shofar
    Explanation: A shofar blast marks the close of Yom Kippur in many traditions; note Kol Nidre is a prayer, not a sound, and Havdalah marks weekly endings, not this day.