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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Elisha feel about his quest to seek a reasoned certainty that would explain everything, including faith?

2. What does the realization, that reason could be based in myth, do to Elisha?

3. What did Meir fight for concerning Elisha's death?

4. How does Elisha look when he hears Charicles speak at Antioch?

5. How do the great sages go to their deaths?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the rabbis have to meet in secret in the attic?

2. What is symbolic about Meir choosing to not walk with Elisha past the boundary where Jews are not allowed to cross on the Sabbath?

3. Why do Elisha and Manto hide their mutual love from Rufus, Manto's benefactor?

4. Was it wise for Elisha to pursue truth regardless of the consequences?

5. Why does Charicles say that mathematics and science could also be myths?

6. What happened to Elisha after he was forced to watch the rabbis be executed?

7. Why does Demonax refuse to take on Elisha as a student, and what consolation does he offer to Elisha?

8. Why does the bloody spectacle not humor the Romans?

9. Why does Elisha decide not to reveal the names of the new rabbis to Rufus?

10. How did Meir honor Elisha after Elisha died?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During Elisha's circumcision, Abuyah, Elisha's father, acts rudely toward the Jewish faith and custom. The congregation is incensed and two rabbis discuss whether or not Elisha will be affected by his father's actions. Does every soul create its own destiny like Rabbi Joshua believes? Or, is the other Rabbi who says Abuyah's actions will have an effect on Elisha, closer to the truth? What about the conclusion of the novel? Does Elisha's life seem to have been affected by his father's beliefs?

Essay Topic 2

Elisha quickly learns that with knowledge comes sadness. What other consequences, good or bad, can there be to learning and studying? Provide three examples for both the positive and negative sides.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the contrast between the decision of the people of Bethar and the decision of Elisha when faced with Roman persecution. Why did the people of Bethar choose to commit mass suicide? Who made the wiser choice, the people of Bethar or Elisha? Define wisdom according to the principles of Elisha and the town of Bethar.

(see the answer keys)

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