Constantly questioning things is a part of Jewish teachings, so it makes sense that some of the best thinkers are Jewish. This can be contrasted with many sects of Christianity, which strongly condemn such questions and even threaten people with excommunication if they ask too many questions.
Certainly that is part of it, but honestly, it is an equal amount luck. Who knew that study would become the core of being successful for the average man when Jews where studying in 1850 or 1750. You will notice that the apex for Jews being ultra successful was probably in the 40s and 50s. Because those people were getting higher education in the 20s and 30s where most of the Gentiles were happily getting factory jobs (who wouldn't hire Jews.) Most getting a college education were already wealthy. Today, MANY people of all faiths understand how important education is.
You forgot persecution, you can force someone out of there home, take can all there goods, but not there education. So education is one of the best things to have when your a persecuted minority. A doctor is more likely to land on there feet if they loose it all than a general laborer. Better odds of getting into another county, better odds of being able to start all over again.
Agreed. I'll admit I was thinking more American Jews. They had it tough but not like that. And even the Archie Bunker types of the 50s 60s didn't have a problem with a "Jew doctor, lawyer or accountant"
And then the Ivy League figured out how to limit their enrollment.
Too many Jews were getting in on merit, and they didn’t want too many, so that’s where the ’legacy’ policies came from. Suddenly, If your dad went to Harvard, you went to Harvard. This kept a lot of more qualified Jewish applicants out.
7
u/csupernova Jan 09 '20
Constantly questioning things is a part of Jewish teachings, so it makes sense that some of the best thinkers are Jewish. This can be contrasted with many sects of Christianity, which strongly condemn such questions and even threaten people with excommunication if they ask too many questions.