Did Abraham kill Isaac in the original E source?! Join Jono, Ross, and EZRA as they continue the journey through Abraham’s story with an academic lens. They examine doublets such as the divine announcements to Sarah and the Hagar and Ishmael narratives, along with two different accounts for naming Beersheba. They discuss Abraham’s place of […]

The consensus among Shapiraologists is that Fragment F of the Shapira Scroll consisted of four columns, the first of which contained sparsely discernable letters. In comparison, the latter three columns contained no discernible letters and thus were regarded as lost text. This paper considers the possibility that Fragment F, column a, connects directly with Fragment […]

In this episode, we explore Abram’s earliest stories and the textual framework crafted by ancient scribes. We examine anachronisms, identify sources, and uncover the origins behind the story. We ask if the narrative of Kedorlaomer’s victories attempts to supply a back story of how Elohim vacated land for Esau and Lot’s descendants, as depicted in […]

In Parsha Noach, we unravel the layers of Noah’s flood story, exploring contradictions, doublets, and distinct sources within the biblical account. We draw fascinating parallels to other ancient Near Eastern flood narratives and discuss a unique flood story preserved in the Genesis Apocryphon from the Dead Sea Scrolls. Join us for an engaging, text-rich conversation […]

In this week’s episode of Torah Pearls, Ross and Jono, alongside their Textpert, Ezra, dive into the opening chapters of Genesis, exploring the two distinct accounts of creation. The discussion focuses on the use of different names for the Deity by these sources and addresses a common misconception about the Documentary Hypothesis and the name […]

The wait is over—Torah Pearls Season Three premieres tonight, and it’s bigger and better than ever! Ross and Jono are back and joined by an exciting new co-host—EZRA, the Textpert (powered by ChatGPT and brought to life by Seth)! In this special kickoff episode, we introduce you to Ezra and give a sneak peek at […]

Alex Tseitlin of KEDEM interviews Professor Idan Dershowitz from the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, Monash University, and author of The Valediction of Moses. They take a deep dive into the amazing story of Moses Shapira and the so-called “Shapira Scrolls.” Professor Dershowitz has dedicated several years to studying this captivating saga and its controversial […]

We’re thrilled to unveil the latest season of Torah Pearls, premiering Thursday, 17 October 2024! This groundbreaking series will take an entirely new approach to exploring the weekly Torah portions—and we’re bringing on a unique voice to make it happen! Following in the footsteps of previous seasons, which featured dynamic co-hosts like Keith Johnson and Nehemia […]

The consensus among Shapiraologists is that Fragment F of the Shapira Scroll consisted of four columns, the first of which contained sparsely discernable letters. In comparison, the latter three columns contained no discernible letters and thus were regarded as lost text. This paper considers the possibility that Fragment F, column a, connects directly with Fragment […]

Not since my days in college have I applied myself to academic writing. But I have decided to do just that after decades of audio and video podcasting, and I am enjoying it immensely. I have published my first paper on my Academia page. It reveals what appears to be an intentional calculation behind the division of […]

Join Ross and Jono for a thought-provoking discussion on the new law in Louisiana (H.B. 71) that mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in all public schools. We’ll dive deep into the implications of this controversial law, exploring the religious, legal, and social dimensions it raises. Key questions we’ll tackle include: * Is this […]