South Korean ambassador to Israel, Ma Young-Sam recently announced that studying the Talmud has become a required part of the school curriculum in the country during an interview hosted by the Israeli television show Culture Today.
A Korean version of the Talmud is being introduced to children in the educational system, referred to as Light of Knowledge.
When asked why the Jewish text is taught in classrooms, Young-Sam responded to reporters, We were very curious about the high academic achievement of the Jews. Jews have a high percentage of Nobel laureates in all fields literature, science and economics.
Young-Sam added said that South Korea hoped that teaching the Jews secrets to children would further their academic accomplishments.
Jews read the Talmud from an early age, and we believe it helps them develop great abilities. This understanding led us to the conclusion that we should also teach children Talmud. We believe that if we teach our children Talmud we could also be geniuses. And thats what stands behind the decision to read Talmud at home, the ambassador said.
Young-Sam, who told reporters that he was first introduced to the Talmud at home with his mother, applauded the teachings regarding respect and family values found in the Jewish text.
The Korea Times reported that the Talmud has consistently been a bestseller on the Korean list due to the reputation that Jews have gained as a hard working and successful people.
With a population reaching 50 million, there might be more people learning the Talmuds teachings in South Korea than in the Jewish state of Israel.
Copyright © 2011 by the Intermountain Jewish News
