Where did the Jews learn their business acumen?
The Jews developed their business acumen during the 70 years of Babylonian captivity. In Babylon, they discovered their aptitude for business and became tremendous business people. Babylon was also the source of the entire banking system, which further explains their financial expertise.
Les teaches that two things happened to the Jews during their 70 years in Babylon. First, they were cured of idolatry once and for all. Second, they found out they had an acumen for business. That is where they learned it. In Babylon they became tremendous business people. Les reminds us that Babylon was the beginning and source of our whole system of banking, which helps account for their business and financial skill.