Can I ask this here?

[Ginlette]

I really hope this isn't a massive faux pas and please tell me, I will report the thread and ask for it to be taken down.

I come from a long line of Methodists and have nobody I can really ask this to. It also feels like I'm almost "fetishising" Jewishness and I don't want you to take it that way. But why has the Jewish community almost disproportionately contributed so much to Western society? How is that almost all my favourite writers and musicians have Jewish lineage, so many huge figureheads of philosophy and science and the arts?

I guess what I'm wondering is is there something in Judaism or Jewish culture that particularly fosters independent or creative thought?

I also wanted to add: I am sickened by the anti semitism abounding across Europe right now and I stand firmly with your community.

We're just naturally amazing 😎

I jest. I've always thought it's because Jewish culture has at its core a deep respect for education and intellectual inquiry. And we've often been migrants, and migrant parents push their children to achieve.

As poster above says it is because we are amazing!

Yes Judaism really values knowledge and education. Personally I don't know any Jewish families that don't have lots of books in the house (Probably a stereotype but that is my own Jewish experience). I think like others that value learning Jewish people then branch out and want to learn more in areas outside of education. Then this leads to the arts, science and other things.

As previous poster said immigration and needing to work plays a part. Someone once said that it is easier for a Jew to grab his fiddle and flee when the neighbouring village are goingto burn downyour house (or something like that). Basically some occupations mean you can always provide for your families no matter where you live.

Jewish people are commanded to study the Torah, this is one of the central ideas in Judaism. So they always had a high level of literacy (well the boys at least) because you needed to be able to read if you wanted to study the Torah. This is how education became engrained in the Jewish culture.

Also, Jews who study the Torah do so in a company of a study partner and the whole purpose of this is to be able to debate about what is written. Some Torah passages are almost incomprehensible and hence require a lot of imagination and interpretation, which is best achieved in discussions. It is actually endorsed to disagree with one another because it keeps the debate alive! So yes, Jews debate a lot :)

Also, since Jews were often "second class citizens" they had to invest and struggle more than other groups in order to achieve. This also naturally propelled forward the collective level of education and culture.

I'd echo others - I was always taught that your education is the one thing you can always carry with you.

One grandparent survived the camps because he was a barber, of all things.

I echo @PurpleChrayne. Education is pushed hard and highly valued in my entire extended family. Books everywhere. Most are high achievers, and have made names for themselves in medicine, business, banking, and the arts. We were also all pushed to pursue hobbies throughout childhood as a means to build a career, not just as a fun thing to do.

I think Judaism promotes some of the qualities that lead to success in these arenas. Daily Torah study, for all on whatever ‘level’ you are - so for example I wouldn’t say I am so learned but I’ll sometimes pop on a Torah lesson while I’m cooking, and we try to always have a discussion at our Shabbat tables. Torah learning is endless debate, and that is encouraged, which itself promotes critical and independent thought. We’re not spoon fed. Asking questions is encouraged.
Orthodox Jewish practice involves a huge amount of very very detailed laws about living daily life , so thought goes into even the most mundane parts of life.
I think these values are then passed on regardless of whether Jews are orthodox or not.

I read also that in order to have a good chance of being accepted as an immigrant to other counties during the 30's (low quotas) many Jews retrained in desirable professional jobs

we try to always have a discussion at our Shabbat tables. Torah learning is endless debate, and that is encouraged, which itself promotes critical and independent thought. We’re not spoon fed. Asking questions is encouraged.

Very much this. My dc tell me that none of their friends have open discussions and debates across the family dinner table, and certainly not on subjects such as God, ethics in computer science, sex, history, racism and etymology.

Yep my family have always had open discussions and debates on any topic. The older generation debating with children like they are adults. This has proved a great advantage for my children at school. The teachers always have told me my children have brilliant vocabulary and critical thinking skills.

I listen to Torah podcasts every week while cooking for Shabbat! I like Chochmat Nashim and the Matan one.

Three-year-old DD gave her first dvar Torah last Friday night at the dinner table 😁

😍 that’s so cute! I didn’t know chochmat nashim did a podcast!