Ambassadorial commentary is often gauged, as the BBC Radio 4 series on British Ambassador dispatches, Parting Shots, alluded to, with a somewhat guarded position viz a viz subjectivity, length of stay, or location that the ambassador finds themselves in. Meetings with fellow ambassadors are arranged for reciprocal trade payoffs and husbandry cultural exchange as are fine meals and a viewing of an example of the host country’s art collection after the port and cigars.
British Embassy Stormed
Exceptions tend to come when the sotto voce of nation state discourse is trampled on by embassy sieges or lootings, as the British recently in Iran, and some of the aforementioned artwork that has been damaged, have found to their cost.
Yet in the case of the South Korean ambassador to Israel, a media interest, and a rather more benign one at that, has formed over his opinions of the Jewish people, and their historic choice of religious text, the Talmud. In days such as these, the State of Israel seemingly has to perform more diplomatic fire-fighting than ever before, as their newspapers tend to display. However, Young Sam Ma’s statement concerning South Korean widespread interest in the stories contained in one of Judaism’s most sacred texts, has brought a positive tone of self-congratulation, if not one of a more bemused hue.
Talmud is Extremely Popular in Korea
Jewish media, including the British Jewish Chronicle, for instance, said that they were surprised to learn that there are more copies of the Talmud in South Korean homes than in Israeli homes. Leaving aside the demographical fact that South Korea has a considerably larger population than Israel, this prevalence in a nation containing no Jews is an extraordinary turn of events.
Puzzling though this may at first seem, for it must be said that the Talmud is generally little known outside of the Jewish world, it might become easier to see why such a book might be a bestseller in supermarkets where books of celebrities would usually sit, certainly in the English speaking world, when placed in the context of South Korean society.
Students Pushed Very Hard
Within the past few months, BBC journalist Lucy Williamson has reported on the extreme pressure placed upon South Korean youth for competition of places at the country's best universities. The country is famous for its work ethic, long hours of study and a healthy respect for others who share their thirst for knowledge, betterment and achievement at the highest level.
What is this highest level if it is not the laudation by the Nobel committee? For are not Jewish people famous for their progeny at winning? Does not such a schema demonstrate intelligence in a coherent, tangible way? And is it not also the reward for sacrifice and dedication that so mirrors the Korean culture that stretches back over the millennia?
Of course there are other factors that play into this cultural crossover. Koreans are, or at least have been, traditional in their familial relations, close knit and deferential to their elders, something which they acknowledge and are respectful of when they view the traditional Jewish family. Think more of the upbeat It’s a Wonderful Life, than the depressing anti-family 30s classic Make Way for Tomorrow.
Mercantilist Tradition
Beyond this, but perhaps less so, there could be comparisons made between the modern South Korea and Israel, of rebirth after a tumultuous early part to the 20th century, places both that live with hostile neighbours and yet flourish, economically at least. But this flourishing can also be seen in the Jewish communities in the UK, the United States, Canada, Australia, and beyond. It is a flourishing born of a mercantilist tradition of helping yourself and your community wherever you find yourself, valuing education and respecting achievement. This is something which goes beyond comparisons played out in the wider political sphere or nation states; it could be seen as transcending such things.
Misunderstandings can Arise
This is not to say that this Korean interest in the Talmud or other texts based on the Jewish work ethic will necessarily be welcomed with universal enthusiasm. For example, when certain celebrities, Madonna amongst others, publically turned to Kabbalah a decade ago, figures such as Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet, a leading Orthodox Rabbi, was quick to point out that this particular form of Jewish worship should be left to intense Jewish study rather than played at by louche and fickle celebrities. There can be an argument made here, that the Korean translated Talmudic stories are but simple homilies that fail to grip or misunderstand a deeper meaning.
It seems unlikely that ultimately any malice is intended, and it is even less likely that belly pork and squid will be prohibited items in Korean restaurants any time soon .Yet the interest shown between this East Asian country in the midst of developing, on the one hand, and this ancient religion that aims to preserve tradition and ceremony across the ages, on the other hand, does at least go some way to highlight the complex human condition.
References
Alper, T. (2011) Why South Koreans are in love with Judaism, The Jewish Chronicle, http://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-features/48771/why-south-koreans-are-love-judaism, accessed 20.12.2011.
Amir, N. (2011) South Korean children learn Talmud at home from parents, http://www.examiner.com/jewish-issues-in-national/south-koreans-children-learn-talmud-at-home-from-parents, accessed 21.12.2011.
Magnet, J. (2004) Who’s that girl, The Telegraph, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3619150/Whos-that-girl.html, accessed 20.12.2011.
Williamson, L. (2011) South Korea’s wasted youth, BBC Online, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15662324, accessed 20.12.2011.
Wilson, J. (2011) Front Row, [Radio Programme] BBC Radio 4, 14.12.2011.
Stephen Dennison - Stephen Dennison recently graduated with a Batchelors Degree in Human Geography. After living in a number of places in England, he is ...
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