Jewish Scene  Rabbi Levi Brackman
Why Jews are disproportionally successful
Rabbi Levi Brackman
Published: 05.09.08, 14:09
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30 Talkbacks for this article
1. When does "Success" become worship of "Golden Calf?
Andrew ,   Miami,FL   (09.05.08)
2. Christians study torah also
E Man ,   SS, MD   (09.05.08)
As the Torah, or old testament, is part of what Christians study also, I find the premise of this article misguided. The author should consider the fact that in addition to secular learning most Jewish children also attend Herbrew school. Thus, they, Jewsish children, spend more time studying and training their brains.
3. Successful?
Mikesailor ,   Miami, Fl   (09.05.08)
Actually,what is your definition of 'Success"?
4. mabee its true what was said about jews
ISRAELI   (09.05.08)
but the muslims got the biggest and most immportant achievment in the history of mankind THE QURAN .......
5. Commerce and Money lending
Ben ,   Binyamina, Israel   (09.05.08)
Firstly I couldn't agree more on our feeling justifiable pride in our peoples accomplishments. In terms of Jewish business acumen, we have been active traders for well over 2500 years, until the Crusades we handle all the trade between Europe ,the East and the Arabs. Cristian Europe also exempted Jews from many trades and virtually forced Jews into money lending. Jews financed the building of monasteries, cathedrals, and castles. In the Middle ages, the knowledge was the monopoly of the Catholic Church whose clergy was celibate. The most successful Jews usually married better and produced more children. Additionally scientific and medical knowledge passed from Sephardi Jews to Ashkenazim, while such matter stagnated on Christian Europe. Europe has not begun to recognize its debt to the Jews it only recognizes us as victims.
6. Ben #5 - Ashkenazi intelligence, mutations discovered
PK ,   Hong Kong   (09.06.08)
I think you may be referring to a study at Utah University. I read the study and found it to be quite compelling. It had to do with science, not religion. Here is an article in the Daily Utah Chronicle: http://www.dailyutahchronicle.com/news/1.356061 Jews are wary of "tooting their own horn" because they are aware of the negative side of human nature. All too many people tend to be jealous, envious and resentful of people that have more than them. Add to this the fact that Jews for milenia have been set apart as the "other", and you have a very toxic mix. Jews are well aware of their history!
7. A little problem
shrinkDave ,   Miami USA   (09.06.08)
The approach in this article and within the Jewish community is that "we Jews sure are a lot smarter than you all." A Yiddisha Kop, not a Goyisha Kop. Newsflash: the entire world of Gentiles knows that Jews feel superior. When the really unsuccesfful, uneducated Gentiles get pissed off, we Jews run into a little problem, called pogrom, extermination, or milder forms of antisemitism. Bottom line: an overly narcissitic attitude ultimately gets you beat up. No cure.
8. The Quran - Huh?
Raymond in DC ,   Washington, DC USA   (09.06.08)
"Israeli" (#4) writes, "but the muslims got the biggest and most important achievement in the history of mankind. THE QURAN". Huh? Is he being facetious? I know of no single book that has led to more death and destruction than that one. Over the ages, by some estimates, Islamic conquest has resulted in the deaths of over 100 million people - more than Mao, Stalin and Hitler combined. Taking just one example, how many millions lost their lives because Muslim rulers coveted the riches of India? The "great" Islamic civilizations were dependent on the skills and riches, of the conquered peoples. They would have been nothing without the skills and resources of the Christians, Jews, Persians, Assyrians, etc. they subdued. A recent report listed not a single university in a majority Muslim country among the world's 500 best. But to Brackman's basic argument, how does he account for the success of Greeks, Hindus and Asians in America? Or that so many of those "successful" Jews are ignorant of Torah?
9. Bachurei Yeshivot
Ariel ,   São paulo Brazil   (09.06.08)
How many Bachurei Yeshivot won the nobel prize in the last century , and how many non religious jews did it?
10. # 5 Ben & Americas revolutionary war was financed by a Jew.
Petra ,   usa   (09.06.08)
Solomon was his name. America had no $$ to fight England and Solomon provided it. That's why the star of David is on our Great Seal, the supreme court and, the back of a one dollar bill. Gods chosen people, the Jews.
11. Work hard and get paid accordingly.
Petra ,   usa   (09.06.08)
12. We are successful because Hashem baraked over us to be so.
This is an eternal ,   blessing.   (09.06.08)
13. Jews
RT   (09.06.08)
Jews are more successful percentage-wise because they have always put an emphasis on education. Unfortunately, however, many "successful" Jews today are very assimilated and often have non-Jewish spouses or else their children do.
14. smart
nossen tzvi ,   J-M   (09.06.08)
sometimes it's better to keep quiet and show a little modesty this is one of those times!
15. No pain no gain the 30% Jewish noble prizes are not fanatic’
e.m Jordan is Palse ,   s.f   (09.07.08)
Beside if were waiting until now for Messiah we the Jews will never had our State .Thank to seculars Jews that did not wait for Messiah. It is like the seculars have fought for Jewish State and have defeated our enemies and the Jewish fanatic’s have claims that victories was because of their prayers to the God
16. in my experience the only jews who go on about the success
j ,   nj   (09.07.08)
of "The Jews" are not suceccful themselves and only cling to that stereotype as a form of validation. also, this kind of talk very often comes from the materialistic shallow and useless housewives married to said successful jewish men. just saying.
17. # 10
e.m Jordan is Palse ,   s.f   (09.07.08)
The Star of David is the sample of Masonic and the Masonic has created by British Empire and George Washington and John Adams and Themes Madison James Monroe and many others U.S president have been members of British Masonic the Star of David has nothing to do with Solomon
18. #15: Thanks - that needed to be said
5th generation ,   Israel   (09.07.08)
19. STOP THAT STUPID TALK. YOU KNOW IT BRINGS HATRED ON US.
Unsuccessful Jew   (09.07.08)
20. Why Are Muslims Disproportinately Unsuccessful?
Seth ,   Washington, DC   (09.07.08)
21. 30 % ?
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (09.07.08)
I think it's a little exagerated . Here the numbers [ jinfo.org ] Chemisstry 19 Economy 41 [ since 1969 ] literature 13 medecine 28 Peace 9 physics 26 . At least 17 % of all Nobel prizes were awarded to Jews , or people with one Jewish parent . Some even were converts , they had to do it because as a Jew they could not pursue their work [ Karl Landsteiner , discoverer of blood groups was so ]
22. Jewish Nobel prizes
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (09.07.08)
As far as known to me , only two were religious Jews . Shay Agnon and professor Aumann .
23. - DUMP Brackman....
Andy ,   ramat hasharon   (09.07.08)
His musings from the tuchus are useless - and his equivocal support of Israel makes him unfit for this website. Get a job, Levi, and stay in the foothills, please.
24. to#10 His name was Haim Solomon
jason white ,   afula,israel   (09.08.08)
He gave the money to Robert Morris the min of finance. That is why today there is a Robert Morris University in Pittsburg and no Haim Solomon University anywhere.
25. the biggest question that remains:
Eshkol Hakofer   (09.08.08)
is the chabad movement really jewish? otherwise, their reflections on judaism are redundant and superfluous, moot and academic!
26.  This is a plug for the RAbbi's book.
Moysh   (11.28.08)
27. why are Jews successful
Taelo Immanuel ,   South Africa   (02.09.12)
I agree that Jewish people are successful mainly because of the Blessing of Abraham, that it is the principles found in the Torah that are responsible. As a Gentile, I also practice the same principles and they're yielding the same results.
28. Jewish people and success
andrew rai ,   New York   (03.29.14)
True Jewish people are very successful but being a non jew who grew up around a lot of jewish people I have to say the they are very giving as well. In my personal experience (living in Nyc I have a lot) Most if not all Jewish people were very helpful to others (non jewish) people and really went out of their way to be of assistance when required. So besides being successful Jewish people are generally very nice people as well.
29. Mr.
Jimid P. Mansayagan ,   Davao City, Ph   (01.30.20)
The unprecedented achievement attained by the Jews always fascinates me. From Albert Einstein, S. Freud, K. Marx, to Zuckerberg. Is this because they are the "Chosen People" and that they possess unique genetic build-up?
30. Because they are selectively altruistic toward each other
Sabatean Frankist   (07.30.20)
If you research Jewish history in Europe and the U.S. you'll understand their success. Ultimately Jewish people migrate to cities and work hard to gain control over infrastructure wherever they go.
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