Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the setting of the story?
What is the setting of the story?
What is the importance of Passover?
What is the importance of Passover?
Moses and the Israelites placed lamb's blood over the door posts so the Angel passed over them and spared their lives during the last plague in Egypt.
What is the theme of the story?
What is the theme of the story?
Remember the events of the past, for they help us understand our present and our future.
Who does not want to remember?
Who does not want to remember?
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Who thinks all Jewish holidays are about remembering?
Who thinks all Jewish holidays are about remembering?
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Who is Hannah's best friend?
Who is Hannah's best friend?
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Who is Hannah's brother?
Who is Hannah's brother?
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Who lost their families in the war?
Who lost their families in the war?
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Who is Hannah's favorite aunt?
Who is Hannah's favorite aunt?
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Who is named after Aunt Eva's dead friend?
Who is named after Aunt Eva's dead friend?
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Whose talent is telling stories?
Whose talent is telling stories?
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Who struggles with memories of Nazis?
Who struggles with memories of Nazis?
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What does Malach-ha ha-mavis mean?
What does Malach-ha ha-mavis mean?
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Who sees Aunt Eva as a very ordinary person?
Who sees Aunt Eva as a very ordinary person?
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What is a Seder?
What is a Seder?
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Who drinks wine at the Seder?
Who drinks wine at the Seder?
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Who is able to open the door for the prophet Elijah?
Who is able to open the door for the prophet Elijah?
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Who is transported to another time?
Who is transported to another time?
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What name is Hannah now known as?
What name is Hannah now known as?
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Who is to be married to Fayge?
Who is to be married to Fayge?
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Who is Shmuel's sister?
Who is Shmuel's sister?
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Who is Shmuel's soon-to-be wife?
Who is Shmuel's soon-to-be wife?
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Who asked Gitl to marry him after losing his wife?
Who asked Gitl to marry him after losing his wife?
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Whose parents died from an illness but she recovered?
Whose parents died from an illness but she recovered?
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Who is scared of getting married?
Who is scared of getting married?
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What did Yitzchak bring Samuel for a wedding gift?
What did Yitzchak bring Samuel for a wedding gift?
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Who left his children outside?
Who left his children outside?
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Who gives Hannah her best outfit to wear?
Who gives Hannah her best outfit to wear?
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What does shetle mean?
What does shetle mean?
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What is Gitl's nickname in the village?
What is Gitl's nickname in the village?
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Who struggles with breathing and wants Chaya to be her best friend?
Who struggles with breathing and wants Chaya to be her best friend?
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Who is not allowed to speak to non-Jews?
Who is not allowed to speak to non-Jews?
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Who tells the girls about her real-life mixed in the setting of Lublin?
Who tells the girls about her real-life mixed in the setting of Lublin?
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Who always longed to go to school but was only educated?
Who always longed to go to school but was only educated?
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Who prizes her long hair?
Who prizes her long hair?
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Why does Hannah tell stories from the movies to the girls?
Why does Hannah tell stories from the movies to the girls?
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Who enjoys the popularity as Chaya?
Who enjoys the popularity as Chaya?
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What is a shadchan?
What is a shadchan?
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What is a badchan?
What is a badchan?
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What does Chaya mean?
What does Chaya mean?
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Who loves music?
Who loves music?
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Who sees that Hannah is wise with special knowledge?
Who sees that Hannah is wise with special knowledge?
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Hannah's memory is fading of what the longer she stays away?
Hannah's memory is fading of what the longer she stays away?
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What does shul mean?
What does shul mean?
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What is at the shul?
What is at the shul?
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What does the Badchan shout upon seeing the trucks?
What does the Badchan shout upon seeing the trucks?
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What is the chapter 8 setting?
What is the chapter 8 setting?
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Who arrives at the wedding and Chaya tries to warn the Jews?
Who arrives at the wedding and Chaya tries to warn the Jews?
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Who denies that the Nazis will kill such a large number and discourages running or fighting back?
Who denies that the Nazis will kill such a large number and discourages running or fighting back?
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Who believes they're being resettled?
Who believes they're being resettled?
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Who speaks out against the Nazis publicly?
Who speaks out against the Nazis publicly?
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Where does Hannah try to explain she's from?
Where does Hannah try to explain she's from?
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Study Notes
Setting
- Passover is set in modern-day New Rochelle, New York.
Importance of Passover
- Commemorates the Israelites' escape from Egypt by placing lamb's blood over doorposts to avoid the Angel of Death.
Theme
- Emphasizes the significance of remembering the past to understand the present and future.
Characters
- Hannah Stern: Struggles with the notion of remembrance; initially ungrateful.
- Rosemary: Hannah's best friend.
- Aaron Stern: Hannah's younger brother.
- Grandpa Will and Grandma Belle: Survivors of the Holocaust who lost their families.
- Aunt Eva: Hannah's beloved aunt.
- Shmuel Abramowicz: The groom, anxious about marriage.
- Gitl: Shmuel's sister and protector.
- Fayge: Shmuel's fiancée.
- Yitzchak: A butcher; widowed with two children, proposes to Gitl.
Plot Points
- Transport to Another Time: Hannah is mysteriously transported to a historical setting during the story.
- Name Change: Hannah adopts the name Chaya in her new identity.
- Seder: A ceremonial dinner representing Jewish heritage.
Relationships
- Family: Hannah's connection with her relatives is central, highlighting their past experiences and how they shape familial bonds.
- Friendship: Hannah's relationship with Rosemary and her impact on those around her.
Cultural Elements
- Malach-ha ha-mavis: Represents the Angel of Death.
- Seder Tradition: A key event in Jewish culture marking Passover.
- Shul: Refers to the synagogue and is portrayed as a place of worship.
Historical Context
- Setting in 1942 Poland: The village environment and societal context during WWII are essential for understanding the narrative.
- Nazis' Arrival: Represents the looming threat faced by the Jewish community, creating a tense atmosphere.
Symbolism and Significance
- Badchan: A jester symbolizing the intersection of joy and sorrow within the Jewish wedding tradition.
- Chaya: Represents life and the struggle for survival in dire circumstances.
- Shadchan: A marriage broker, emphasizing cultural practices surrounding marriage.
Challenges Faced
- Memory Loss: Hannah’s fading memory of New Rochelle indicates the emotional toll of the experiences she faces.
- Denial of Danger: Community members, including Reb Boruch, refuse to acknowledge the seriousness of the Nazi threat.
Conclusion
- The narrative intertwines personal and historical themes, underlining the importance of cultural identity and the weight of memory in shaping one's existence.
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Description
This quiz explores key concepts from the first ten chapters of 'The Devil's Arithmetic'. It includes flashcards on setting, the significance of Passover, and major themes. Test your understanding of the important events and ideas presented in the book.
