Study Finds that Jews are the Smartest Population of People

It was recently confirmed in a report by Cambridge University called, "From Chance to Choice: Genetic and Justice," that Ashkenazi Jews have a median IQ of 117 which is 10% higher than the next highest group (the Northeast Asian population) and 20% higher on average than other populations. Do you think that is an accident? Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald, Director of Jewish Treats parent organization, the National Jewish Outreach Program, doesn't think so. He thinks it is a true testament to the importance placed on education by the Jewish people. One of Rabbi Buchwald's favorite books is The Jewish Mystique by Ernest Vanderhaag. In it, Vanderhaag argues that is no accident that Jews are smart because Jews always valued education. Because of this, the most well regarded person in the Jewish community was the scholar or the rabbi. The most successful people in town always wanted to marry their children off to the rabbi's sons or daughters to ensure that the most successful in business were marrying the most successful scholars. This went on to impact survival rates. When the most intelligent in town were marrying and having children with the wealthiest in town, this ensured that their children received good healthcare, bountiful food and were protected, so they survived in times of drought and famine. Ernest Vanderhaag also points out that in the Christian communities, especially amongst Catholics, the best minds from the clergy did not have children to carry on their scholarship. Does that make us better? No. But it does point to the importance of education and the Jewish love for Torah. And that is the greatest legacy that the Jews have in our history. So while we should be proud of this recognition, we should not be smug. Most importantly, let's study Torah.