The Secret to Jewish Intelligence | Unpacked

From goat yoga to brain supplements, people try everything to boost their intellect. But what if an ancient philosophy practiced by Jews holds the key? Representing just 0.2% of the global population, Jews have won nearly a quarter of Nobel Prizes. Their incredible success prompts the question: What is the secret to Jewish intelligence?

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:49 Culture and history of Jewish education
01:23 Education and literacy
03:53 Critical thinking
05:03 Observation and a sense of wonder
06:34 Broad knowledge
07:27 Resilience in the face of adversity
08:58 The secret to Jewish intellectual success

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Recommended video—Are Jews Rich?

Let’s connect:
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Image and footage credits:
Wellcome Collection
Itamar Grinberg, Israeli Ministry of Tourism
Mordecai Baron
U.S. Embassy Jerusalem
Veni
Ken Klein
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Executive Producer:
— Barry Skolnick
Co-Executive Producer:
— Shmuel Katz
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Translation credits:

About Explainers: From ancient Jewish traditions to the modern State of Israel, we explain it all. Diving into anything and everything related to Jewish culture, history, and even religion.
Understand Jewish holidays, Israeli politics, Jewish diasporic communities, and more. Learn about Judaism in pop culture, debunking myths about Jews, and explore obscure Israeli landmarks. We’re asking questions as basic as “What is the Talmud?”, and as obscure as “How did hip-hop boost Kosher wine sales?”, and everything in between.

About Unpacked: We provide nuanced insights by unpacking all things Jewish. People are complex and complicated — yet we’re constantly being pushed to oversimplify our world. At Unpacked we know that being complex makes us more interesting. Because of this, we break the world down with nuance and insight to drive your curiosity and challenge your thinking.

#education #success #smart

[GailCleveland-dh]

I’ve always admired the Jewish approach to life, education, family. I love and appreciate their contribution made to humanity. May Israel and the Jewish people thrive forever.

[MarK-rovl]

Being raised Christian, I have always been fascinated with my Jewish brothers and sisters. Thank you for making these videos, so I can learn more.

[tashikoweinstein]

Yea, you're wearing the Star again, I missed that in your last couple of videos, seeing you wear the star really helps me with my Jewish Identity, and Heritage especially living in the U.S. My dad never wore his star, yet he always talk about his Jewish Roots and visiting Israel, so thank you for wearing the star again!! Please keep wearing it loud and proud in all of your videos! This channel has really helped me embrace, understand and except my Jewish identity and understanding the conflict and our right to self-determination!! Seeing you without it makes me feel lost as a Jew ✡️
AM YISRAEL CHAI 🇮🇱

[cboz]

I am not Jewish, I come from Greece. I deeply admire the Jewish Ethnos and the amazing people of Israel.
I wish we Greeks will be as united, resilient, strong, moral and innovative as the Israelis, when the hour of crisis comes.
Dear people of Israel, you are a blessing and an inspiration to the world. Stay strong!!!

[DaisyBennett-xl]

Add keeping the sabbath. Humans tend to keep working 'till the job is done', not allowing themselves rest. Taking that day off and focusing on Godly things really gives a new perspective and creativity in solving problems. Skip the sabbath, and you close that door.

[danperlman]

It's good to be Jewish. I've been Jewish since 1960 and loving it!!! 😊

[lindawhittaker]

This non-Jewish Israeli can confirm this fits most of what I have learned about Jews. This makes life in Israel challenging, exciting and never boring.

[Andi_andI]

You helped this secular Jew appreciate just how beautiful her religion is. 🩵 עם ישראל חי

[sharonscraftsworld]

Syrian Christians of kerala has most of this traits, they are good at business, sciences arts and hardworking and compulsorily educate both boys and girls and strong believer of God and follow the age old traditions and pass it to next generation.

[johnfox]

I am neither Jew, nor Christian, nor any religion, but I deeply admire the Jewish people for their love of learning. This is a massively positive trait!!!!😊

[andrewlim]

Thanks for raising awareness about the Jewish cultural emphasis on knowledge and education.

[jonl]

Hashem promised our father, Avraham: "All the nations will be blessed through you."

[catherinemarsh]

My daughter went to a private school in a country town in Australia. There she was part of the gifted and talented program and in a class full of bold and bright personalities. For year 10, 11 and 12 she wanted to go to another school in Sydney. It was full of children of Jewish families and she said that she and everyone back at her old school were ordinary compared to the Jewish girls. She said that the capacity was scary.

[michellelansky]

You put this together beautifully! Thank you!

[RonRossnick]

This wisdom and how you explain this is profound and I realize I sometimes get criticized for my tenacity in problem solving.

[rodrigosacca]

Tizke lemitzvot achi!! I just came accross your Unpacked and I found them excellent. Kol hakavod lecha!!

[FromValkyrie]

This is the primary reason for antisemitism. It's borne out of jealousy.
As a Christian, I'm proud to know that such people as Jews exist in this world.
God is always with Israel.

[petrieberries]

Almost a quarter of the Nobel prices is beyond impressive! 👏👏👏

[KittyPurrBoy]

"Two Jews, three opinions" is such a good description of Israel, we always fight but at the end of the day, we are all brothers and sisters ready to defend each other at all cost. עם ישראל חי 🩵

[xoxoalejandro]

I love how you emphasized that you are not implying Jews are genetically superior. I am half Persian, and everything you mentioned in the video also strongly applies to Persian culture and Persian people. Persian culture before it was erased by the Mullahs in 1979. This is one of the reasons why Jews and the Persians historically always had good relationships and were close friends. We had our back and supported each other. I strongly believe that we can fight Islamists together and strive in the future together.