Literacy & Religion, Who Should The "Truth Seeker" Trust? The Jew the Christian or the Muslim?

Honorable Rabbi Yosef Edery

Mar 147 min read

Let's first lay down the facts:

Available studies offer insights into the contemporary educational attainment of the 3 religious groups.

Golan Heights, Israel, Sunset, March 2025

Jews:

Globally, Jews are the most educated religious group, with an average of over 13 years of formal schooling.

In the United States, 75% of Jews have pursued higher education, averaging 14.7 years of schooling.

Christians:

Worldwide, Christians average approximately 9.3 years of schooling, making them the second most educated group after Jews.

Muslims:

Muslims have an average of 5.6 years of formal schooling globally, placing them among the least educated religious groups.

These disparities are influenced by geographic distribution, socioeconomic factors, and historical access to education. For instance, Jews predominantly reside in countries with high educational standards, such as the U.S. and Israel. In contrast, many Muslims live in regions where educational infrastructure is less developed.

Rabbi's note:

Sometimes, lack of education in the Islamic world stems not from a natural issue but a designed withholding of education, as it is accepted in many Islamic circles, and part of Islamic design to withhold wisdom or debate or development of ideas, we can see an example of this such as the "Boko Haram" Islamic group, which literally translates to "Book, No" anti education or anti logic is found in Islam and although different groups have different ways of approach in these matters, the fringe says a lot about the mainstream.

Historically, literacy rates among Jews, Christians, and Muslims varied significantly depending on geography, political context, and religious teachings. Here's an overview of the trends over the last 2,000 years:

Jews:

Ancient and Medieval Periods:

Literacy was relatively high among Jewish communities, especially in religious contexts. Jewish children were taught to read and write, primarily to study the Torah and other religious texts.

In the Biblical period, literacy might have been limited to religious leaders and scribes. However, as Jewish communities spread throughout the world, especially during the destruction of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem, the Jews established educational systems, and began to document the oral tradition on top of the already written Torah. And at this point we have strong evidence of literacy being very widespread, particularly in the Rabbinic period (post-Temple destruction, 2nd century CE onward).

The Jewish commitment to learning (especially Torah study) was central to their culture. In medieval Europe, Jews had high literacy rates compared to the general population. Jews in Spain, Provence, and Ashkenazic communities were often more literate than their Christian counterparts.

Modern Era:

By the 19th and 20th centuries, Jewish literacy surged, particularly in Europe, due to strong cultural emphasis on education. Jews became among the most educated groups in countries like Poland, Russia, and Germany, where many Jewish boys attended religious schools (cheder) and secular schools.

In the 20th century, Jews in the United States, Israel, and other countries achieved higher literacy rates, driven by both religious education and general educational systems.

Christians:

Early Christianity:

Early Christian communities were not generally literate. In the first few centuries, Christianity was largely oral, with knowledge of Christian texts and teachings passed through oral traditions. Literacy was often limited to clergy and scholars.

The spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire involved the spread of written texts (e.g., the New Testament), and early Christian leaders often had to learn basic literacy to read and interpret these texts.

Medieval Period:

During the Middle Ages, literacy was largely restricted to the clergy. Most of the population, including Christian peasants, was illiterate. The Catholic Church maintained control over most of the educational institutions in Europe, but access to reading and writing was limited to monastic centers and the clergy.

In the 14th and 15th centuries, the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg (circa 1440) revolutionized literacy, making books more affordable and accessible, which slowly began to raise literacy rates among Christians.

Modern Era:

By the 18th century, in Protestant regions, literacy rates increased rapidly, especially with the Protestant Reformation, which emphasized the personal reading of the Bible.

The Enlightenment era (18th century) contributed further to the rise in literacy among Christians, as secular and religious education spread more widely across Europe and the Americas.

Muslims:

Early Islam (7th-10th centuries):

In the early Islamic world, literacy was highly valued, particularly for the memorization and recitation of the Quran. Islamic education was systematized early on, with schools (madrasahs) emerging to teach reading, writing, and religious texts.

The spread of Islam was often accompanied by the establishment of literacy and education systems in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of South Asia. Arabic, the language of the Quran, became a key element of education in many parts of the Muslim world.

However, literacy rates were still low compared to modern standards, and education was often limited to the elite or religious scholars (ulama).

Medieval and Early Modern Periods:

In the medieval period, particularly during the Islamic Golden Age (8th to 13th centuries), literacy rates were high among scholars, scientists, and religious leaders, especially in places like Baghdad, Córdoba, and Cairo. Islamic scholars made significant advancements in fields such as astronomy, medicine, mathematics, and philosophy.

However, these advancements in education and scholarship were not always widely accessible to the general population. The majority of Muslims, especially in rural areas, remained illiterate during this period.

Modern Era:

From the 19th century onwards, as colonial powers exerted control over much of the Muslim world, educational systems were introduced or expanded. However, these systems often excluded large portions of the population, and literacy remained low in many areas until the mid-20th century.

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Muslim-majority countries have made significant strides in education, but literacy rates still vary significantly, with some countries like Iran and Turkey showing high literacy, while others in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East struggle.

Summary of Historical Literacy Trends:

Jews: Historically, Jews have maintained high literacy rates, particularly in religious contexts, but this expanded in modern times due to strong cultural emphasis on education.

Christians: Literacy among Christians was historically limited, especially for common people, but increased dramatically after the printing press and the spread of secular and religious education.

Muslims: Early Islamic society placed a high value on literacy, but it was often concentrated among religious scholars. Literacy spread more widely in the modern era, particularly after the 19th century.

The overall historical literacy rates for each group show significant variation, but in general:

Jews have historically had high literacy rates, particularly in religious contexts, and maintained a strong tradition of learning.

Christians saw a slow rise in literacy, especially after the Protestant Reformation and the spread of the printing press.

Muslims historically had a strong educational tradition, but widespread literacy has been more recent, with some regions still catching up in terms of educational access and literacy.

The historical and modern trends in education and literacy among Jews, particularly in religious contexts, provide a compelling argument for their deep commitment to learning and intellectual rigor. Jews have maintained a strong tradition of education throughout history, especially in the study of the Torah, Talmud, and other religious texts. This tradition has not only preserved their religious knowledge but also fostered intellectual development that has contributed significantly to various fields, including philosophy, science, and law.

In contrast to their monotheistic counterparts, Jews have consistently prioritized education, ensuring that generations are taught to read, write, and critically engage with religious and secular knowledge. The commitment to Torah study has been central to Jewish life, making the Jewish community one of the most educated religious groups worldwide. Historically, Jews have had higher literacy rates compared to both Christians and Muslims, particularly in the medieval and early modern periods, when literacy was often limited to the clergy in other religious communities.

This long-standing emphasis on education and intellectual pursuit can provide a strong basis for trusting Jews, particularly when it comes to religious matters. Their approach to religion is deeply informed by a tradition of scholarly inquiry and debate, which has kept the community resilient and adaptable across time and regions. When considering religious knowledge, the Jewish commitment to education stands out as a distinctive and admirable trait, underscoring their ability to engage with religious teachings in a thoughtful, informed, and intellectually rigorous manner.

It might seem to the layman that many questions or arguments posed by Christians and Muslims regarding Judaism are insightful or challenging. However, upon closer examination, it often becomes clear that these questions, while they may seem well-intentioned, are often based on misunderstandings or a lack of deep knowledge about Jewish beliefs, the Torah, and its laws. In many cases, the questions are not actually genuine inquiries but rather reflections of a limited or inaccurate understanding of Judaism’s foundations.

Judaism, with its complex and multifaceted legal, philosophical, and theological system, requires years of study to fully comprehend. The Torah and its laws are rich in meaning and have been interpreted and applied through centuries of scholarly work. Many arguments or questions from outside perspectives may stem from a surface-level understanding, missing the depth and nuance that lies within Jewish tradition.

Once these misconceptions are addressed, it often becomes clear that the question itself was built on faulty premises, and the answer is not just a response but a revelation of the depth of Jewish teachings. In this sense, the Jewish tradition of learning and intellectual engagement equips Jews to understand and respond to challenges in a thoughtful and informed way, reflecting a long history of education and scholarship that distinguishes Judaism from other faiths. This intellectual tradition further solidifies the trustworthiness of Jewish perspectives on religious matters, as their answers are rooted in centuries of study and understanding.

---

Want to stay in the loop?

Join the Sanhedrin Initiative WhatsApp Group!

We invite you to be part of a special group dedicated to the Sanhedrin initiative, where you can engage in meaningful discussions, share insights, and contribute to an important cause. This is an exciting opportunity to learn more about the Sanhedrin and its role in the present and it's impacts in the near future.

Click the link to join:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/Kfswzd4XIxs0x0YAUFIf5O

Thank you, and we look forward to having you with us!

Signed off by Rabbi Yosef Edery from the Golan Heights, Israel, and Sanhedrin Advisor.