Talmud study mandatory in South Korea

[Tanakh Keeper]

Almost every home in South Korea now contains a Korean-translated Talmud. But unlike in Israel, the Korean mothers teach the Talmud to their children. In a country of close to 49 million people who believe in Buddhism and Christianity, there are more people who read the Talmud - or at least own their own copy at home - more than in the Jewish state.

“We were very curious about the high academic achievements of the Jews,” explains Israel’s ambassador to South Korea, Young Sam Mah, that was a host on the program “culture today.” “Jews have a high percentage of Nobel laureates in all fields: literature, science and economics. We tried to understand what is the secret of the Jewish people? How they - more than other people - are able to reach those impressive accomplishments? Why are Jews so intelligent? The conclusion we arrived at is that one of your secrets is that you study the Talmud.”

http://matzav.com/talmud-study-now-m...in-south-korea

[Catholicity]

[
A thought here, The Koreans might not necessarily understand all of the customs or traditions behind the Talmud, but they are onto something about studying the values of other cultures. And its pretty amazing how open they are to learning and teaching Jewish customs to their children, especially in a world which is so full of prejudice.

[Lady Minstrel]

http://matzav.com/talmud-study-now-m...in-south-korea

Im not so sure that its that the Jews are superior in knowledge....I think they achieve high levels because they work together like a unit....they help each other 'up' to higher positions....

For instance..if there was an opportunity being offered..and a Jew and two gentiles came to take it....If the person in the power position was a Jew..he would give that opportunity to the Jew....not the gentile....therefore..'helping each other up'..

The Jews aspire to hold positions of power..therefore making it very easy for them to elevate their fellow Jew..

I would think if one were to look for higher thinking..they would read the bible instead of the Talmud...I dont see anything in the Talmud that is superior to the Bible..

The Talmud is merely a book of mens opinions...so how can that be superior to Gods book?

[Scrawly]

Interesting article TK. Although, I have always wondered why most Jews are secular (Atheist, Agnostic)? Also, do you think the majority of those Jewish Nobel laureates were religious?

[Tanakh Keeper]

I'm sure people have all sorts of reasons for their level of observance.

I have no idea. From anecdotal things I've read, the level of observance has more to do with one's upbringing than their chosen profession.