This is Randi Hacker with another Postcard from Asia from the KU Center for East Asian Studies.

The Talmud is the Jewish sacred text containing commentary by legendary rabbis pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs, philosophy etc. It has been the go-to text for more than 5,000 years for Jews who seek answers to tricky questions. So why are we talking about the Talmud on Postcard from Asia? Because this ancient text has become a crossover best seller in South Korea. Rumor has it that every home has a Korean copy of the Talmud and that mothers teach it to their children to give them wisdom. It is also a required part of the school curriculum. According to Korea’s ambassador to Israel, Koreans note a high percentage of Jews among Nobel laureates in all fields and academic success-obsessed Korean parents want a piece of this action for the offspring. How do you say oy vey in Korean?

From the KU Center for East Asian Studies, I’m Randi Hacker. Wish you were here.