1.
Talking donkeys are not new,
We have them in the Torah too.
The story in Bemidbar is grand.
But what was in the angel's hand?

Hint: See the chapter number that equals tribes + commandments.

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The hint leads to the answer in Bemidbar 22 (that's 12 tribes + 10 commandments) which tells of Balaam's attempt to curse the Jewish people. 'The donkey saw the angel of God standing on the road with his sword drawn in his hand' (verse 23).

2.

A Menorah in the Temple stood,
Not fashioned out of steel or wood,
But formed from a block of solid gold.
So who lit the Menorah as he was told?

Hint: Find the book and chapter that equal the "number" of nights of Hanukkah "in the desert."

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Bemidbar is called 'Numbers' in English, and means 'in the desert' in Hebrew. There are eight
nights of Hanukkah. So, look in Bemidbar 8, which describes Aaron's ceremonial lighting of the Menorah in the Tabernacle. 'Aaron did so; toward the face of the Menorah he lit its lamps, as God had commanded Moshe' (verse 3).

3.

To a lion this brother is compared. Joseph's life he and the others spared. He has the same name as a Maccabee. Which tribe did he grow up to lead?

Hint: Let's start at the very "beginning" of football in San Francisco.

The hint leads to Bereishit (which means 'in the beginning' in Hebrew) chapter 49 (for the 49ers football team), which tells of a dying Yaakov blessing his children. 'A lion cub is Judah' (verse 9).

4.

In the Biblical city of Givon,
A beautiful scene surely shone.
A wondrous miracle occurred outside.
Now tell us where the kings did hide.

Hint: Look in the first book of the Prophets, chapter 4² (3x2).

The hint leads to the book of Joshua, the first of the Prophets. The math equation equals 10. Find the answer in Joshua 10, which describes the miraculous battle in which Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still. 'These five kings' were concealed in the cave at Makkedah' (verse 16).

5.

It's a tale of friendship and palace intrigue,
A king whose jealousy did not fatigue.
Fleeing to Ein Gedi to save his young life,
What did David cut with his knife?

Hint: Same - e + you + L + hours in a day = where to look.

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The rebus equals Samuel 24, a chapter that details King Saul's frenzied pursuit of David and David's display of loyalty to the king, despite Saul's mistrust of him. The answer lies in verse 4: 'David cut off a corner of Saul's coat.'

6.

Peninah had children, Hannah did not.
Blessings from God the barren woman sought.
Her prayer caused Eli much confusion.
This High Priest jumped to what conclusion?

Hint:

If you're on a first-name basis with Frozone's voice, you'll look in chapter one.

Answer: That Hannah was Drunk

Samuel L. Jackson plays Frozone in the movie The Incredibles. Since his first name is Samuel, look in Samuel 1, which recounts the story of Hannah's prayers to God for a child. 'Eli thought she was drunk' (verse 13).

7.

There is a time to be born and a time to die,
A time for every purpose under the sky.
Through the verses you must sift
And find the thing that is God's gift.

Hint: Look in the third chapter of the scroll traditionally read on Sukkot.

Answer: Eating, Drinking, and Finding Satisfaction in Labor

Since the book of Ecclesiastes is traditionally read on Sukkot, look there in chapter 3, which includes the well-known verses about contrasting times in life. 'Every person who eats and drinks and finds satisfaction in all labor; this is a gift of God' (verse 13).

8.

In a palace in Shushan a long time ago,
Haman dealt the Jews a terrible blow.
Mordechai told the plot to Esther the queen.
So who served as the cousins' go-between?

Hint:: No need to read the whole megillah, just the chapter number of contestants in Harry's Triwizard Tournament.

Four contestants competed in the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, so the answer lies in Megillat Esther 4. This chapter records the desperate back-and-forth conversation between Esther and Mordechai about the Queen's role in preventing Haman's evil plan. 'Hatakh came and told Esther the words of Mordechai. Then Esther told Hatakh' (verses 9 and 10).