There are a lot of reasons the Jews prosper ranging from values for education, critical thinking skills, philanthropy amongst themselves. A whole lot of them but we would focus on one today.
To the Jew, the old testament is an ancient book of history and moral precepts. They follow most of this principles as procedures for life and most have been known to prosper tremendously.
My findings from the book, The Jewish phenomenon by Stephen Silbiger indicates there is a huge similarity between the researches made in the book and the commands of the old testament.
One principle caught my attention during my bible study one day.
Deut 15:12-14 (pls note that the whole of deut 15 are still commands on how to treat fellow Jews but I chose the 3 verses for the purpose of the write up )
12 If any of your people—Hebrew men or women—sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free.
13 And when you release them, do not send them away empty-handed.
14 Supply them liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to them as the Lord your God has blessed you.
15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.
If a relative is serving a person, he would be released after the 6th year with the relative opening a branch of the business for the servant and sometimes paying for his one or 2 years rent for his accommodation.
The igbo's call it "settlement ". "Oga m essettle go m", as some would say then.
You would see someone with little education and not much chances in life doing big things. Building houses in the city he decides to settle because someone gave him a chance in life.
And the cycle continues as the released servant takes another "nwa boy" to serve him.
Jews have the ability to organise and utilise economic power which has been their strength in any nation they find themselves in. They know themselves and people that need help and mentorship and the funds are used for these. They practically practice a principle still in Deut 15,"there should be no poor amongst you".
Have we stopped being Jews by ceasing to practice some of these principles. Have we refused to "settle" people as they deserve or have the younger ones refused to serve anyone.
Whatever the case maybe, we should get back to the practice and build a strong community.
Jews take care of their own, so should we all.
