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 […]

Ross & Jono explore the fascinating and mysterious journey of Shapira’s manuscript fragments, delving into various theories about their whereabouts. From sales catalogues to auction houses, they’ll trace the chain of custody and uncover the twists and turns that have puzzled scholars for over a century. One intriguing aspect is the connection to the Freemasons. […]

In “The Mysterious Death of Moses Shapira,” we delve into Chapter 12 of The Moses Scroll and uncover the dramatic events of August 1883. Amidst a whirlwind of rejections from prominent European scholars, Moses Shapira remained unwavering in his belief in the manuscript’s authenticity. The plot thickens with Shapira’s mysterious death in a Rotterdam hotel […]

This episode delves into Chapter 11 of The Moses Scroll, focusing on the rapid rejection of Shapira’s manuscript by Conder, Clermont-Ganneau, and Ginsburg in August 1883. Despite widespread backlash, Shapira stood firm in his belief, writing a detailed letter from Amsterdam to Edward Augustus Bond, advocating for unbiased examination. Shapira argued, “The sin of believing […]