
A friend alerted me this morning that The Moses Scroll was the subject of an interview on the popular program Coast to Coast AM. The program attracts millions of listeners worldwide, primarily because of the fascinating content, clearly a direct result of a solid and talented production team and a dynamic host, George Noory, who says that “he is driven by the desire to solve the great mysteries of our time.” One need only browse the vast library of show topics to understand why the program is so popular.
The programming for 9 March 2022 is no exception. In the first half of a four-hour doubleheader titled, “JFK Assassination/Dead Sea Scroll Revelation,” Noory discusses the JFK Assassination with author James DiEugenio and Director, Producer, and Writer Oliver Stone. How does one follow that? How about nearly two hours of engaging conversation on the Dead Sea Scrolls?
The third and fourth segments feature Dr. Ken Hanson, a scholar of Hebrew language and literature and the coordinator of Judaic Studies at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Noory and Hanson cover the Dead Sea Scrolls from their initial discovery more than 75 years ago to more recent developments in the field. And then, with 8 minutes remaining in segment three, host George Noory asks Dr. Hanson, “Ken, what is The Moses Scroll?” For the remainder of segment three and into segment four, Dr. Hanson introduced the fascinating story of Moses Shapira and his scroll to the Coast to Coast AM audience.
The show description puts it this way. “One particular item would be ‘the most important Biblical discovery ever found’ if authenticated: an ancient scroll fragment, discovered over a century ago, that is speculated to be the original work of Moses himself.”
I am pleased that Moses Shapira and the story of his sixteen leather fragments received such favorable treatment by Dr. Hanson and George Noory. I find it uncanny that the program was aired on the anniversary date of the discovery of Shapira’s death, one hundred and thirty-eight years ago to the day!
As I think about the vast audience who listened to the story, many likely for the first time, I am reminded of Shapira’s words to Hermann Strack in a letter dated 9 May 1883. He said, “I will ask your pardon for all of my daring suggestions and ask you to give me your candid opinion about it should you or your friends find it as interesting as I flatter myself it to be.” I hope the Coast to Coast audience was as interested in the subject as I am, especially since there is so much more to the story.
For readers of my blog who wish to listen to the program, the discussion of The Moses Scroll begins at minute marker 36 of Hour 3, but the whole show is worth the time.
A special thanks to Joe Whitehead for alerting me to this program!
I’m so glad you enjoyed and appreciated the show! I also discuss this in my TV interview (already recorded) for “Beyond Belief with George Noory,” to debut on the Gaia Network within a few months. Keep a lookout!
Thank you, Dr. Hanson. I certainly did enjoy and appreciate the show. As Shapira wrote to Hermann Strack, “The question will be for scholars to decide,” and so it is especially pleasing to see scholars who are willing to consider the possibility of authenticity, rather than go with the crowd. You did a great job of laying out the basic story. Thank you for your courage.