Koreans Study Talmud: Is Studying Judaism Good Education?

South Koreans have started studying Jewish laws to mimic the success of the Jewish people. The high standard for education in Korea has led their academic leaders to a new conclusion: "We believe that if we teach our children Talmud, they will also become geniuses."

Jameel reports in the Muqata blog:
Close to 50 million people live in South Korea, and almost everyone is taught the Talmud at home by their parents. "We tried to understand why the Jews are geniuses, and we came to the conclusion that we think it is because they study Talmud," said the Korean ambassador to Israel, Mr. Young Sam Ma. And this is how "Rav Papa" became a more well known scholar in Korea than in Israel.

Wikipedia defines the Talmud: The Talmud (Hebrew: תַּלְמוּד talmūd "instruction, learning", from a root lmd "teach, study") is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history.
"We tried to understand why the Jews are geniuses, and we came to the conclusion that we think it is because they study Talmud," said the Korean ambassador to Israel, Mr. Young Sam Ma.

Studying the Talmud differs from other texts. The Talmud teaches the core of Judaism -- a religious doctrine based on the word of G-d according to Jews. Koreans appreciate the values within the Talmud as fundamental to a strong family and society. "In the Jewish tradition, family values ​​are important," explains the South Korean Ambassador.

The Talmud compels parents to teach their children. The Talmud existed over 1,500 years before public education and teachers unions, and Koreans consider it the basis for creating "geniuses."

Should more parents, cultures and schools teach Judaism as an academic curriculum? Can you teach Talmud in public schools without violating the First Amendment? Can non-Jews benefit from studying the Talmud?