In each of these programs, Ross K. Nichols and Truth2U host Jono Vandor engage in discussions about various subjects presented in The Moses Scroll. All of these programs are hosted on the Truth2U site, but Jono Vandor has gracisouly permitted me to post these informative shows on The Moses Scroll site as well.
11 March 2021 – May Moses Shapira’s Name be for a Blessing
Ross Nichols comes onto Truth2U for his first-ever discussion on his recently published #1 Amazon Bestseller, The Moses Scroll. Ross pays tribute to the memory of Moses Shapira and brings us up to date regarding today’s news articles on the topic that has the world buzzing with heightened curiosity, just as it did when Shapira first brought the scroll to the public eye in 1883.
19 March 2021 – Here We Ganneau Again
In this podcast, “Here We Ganneau Again,” Ross and Jono cover some of the old theories that have been rehashed again and again, even recently. In 1883, Monsieur Clermont-Ganneau, put forth a theory that the forger cut the bottom off of a Torah scroll to make his “fake” manuscript. We also discuss whether or not the manuscript had ten or eleven commandments. Check it out.
26 March 2021 – Ebal, Gerizim, and The Moses Scroll – Theological and Geographical Challenges
Two mounts, Gerizim and Ebal, are associated with a ceremony to be performed when the children of Israel cross into the promised land. The details of the ceremony are mentioned in Deuteronomy chapters 11 and 27, and also in Joshua chapter 8 where, according to the narrative, the ceremony actually takes place. The narratives contained in the Tanakh present us with several challenges. In this podcast, Jono and Ross discuss the relevant passages and highlight the challenges and then show that only one manuscript resolves them – The Moses Scroll.
9 April 2021 – The NINE Commandments: What is Unquestionably Genuine?
In 1878, Moses Wilhelm Shapira, a Jerusalem antiquities dealer and scroll merchant came to possess a fascinating collection of leather strips. He believed that these leather strips, written in Paleo Hebrew were an ancient form of the Bible’s Book of Deuteronomy. He made a transcription of the manuscript and carefully noted variations between the message of the strips and the bible and sent them to Professor Konstantine Schlottmann at Halle University on 24 September 1878. On 7 October 1878 Shapira received a scolding reply calling the manuscript a forgery – particularly noting the differences between it and the “unquestionably genuine Ten Commandments.” In this episode, Ross and Jono discuss some of the differences. How does one count the Ten? How could it be that the manuscript which Shapira acquired contained all which are listed in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 (albeit with different wording and arrangement) as well as an “additional” word and still only have Ten Words? Could it be the “unquestionably genuine Ten Commandments” really only have nine? Does this explain the different numberings of various faith expressions? Don’t miss – The NINE Commandments. What is unquestionably genuine?
29 April 2021 – Are the Blessings Truly Missing in Deuteronomy?
The Bible tells of a ceremony that is to be completed once the children of Israel cross into the Promised Land. The Book of Deuteronomy describes the ceremony as a reciting of Blessings and Curses to be spoken from Mounts Gerizim and Ebal. The details of the ceremony are given in Deuteronomy 11, 27, and Joshua 8, but we have a problem. While Deuteronomy 27 gives us the Curses, it leaves out the Blessings. A Truth2U listener sent a question about this claim which was made in an earlier episode, and so this podcast is an answer to Joseph’s question. Are the Blessings truly missing in Deuteronomy 27, and what is contained in chapter 28, if not the Blessings?
9 May 2021 – A Bleek View of The Moses Scroll
Sometime in early spring of 1883, Moses Shapira came upon a book that made him reconsider the objections of Schlottmann and Delitzsch. As he put it in a letter to Hermann Strack dated 9 May 1883, “A short time ago a book called Einleitung in das Alte Testament [Introduction to the Old Testament] von [by] Friedrich Bleek in Berlin 1860 came into my hands & what a change came over my mind after studying the above book. I see now that the most of the variations between our MSS & the Bible are of such a character as are already used by many eminent scholars as a proof that our Deuteronomy was not written by Moses or about his time; all such passages are not to be found in our MSS.” – The Moses Scroll – Ross Nichols
The Text of the Moses Scroll with Jono Vandor
28 May 2021 – Episode One – Text of The Moses Scroll
This week, Ross and Jono begin to introduce their listeners to the text of a fascinating manuscript. Called The Moses Scroll by Ross in his recently published book, and The Valediction of Moses by Harvard scholar Idan Dershowitz – both of whom believe that it is ancient and authentic. Could this manuscript be the earliest form of the Torah of Moses? Don’t miss an episode of this new series on The Text of the Moses Scroll.
4 June 2021 – Episode Two – Text of The Moses Scroll
This week, Ross and Jono work through the opening verses of The Moses Scroll. They discuss some of the notable readings in the text, comparing and contrasting them with the Masoretic text. One of the interesting points of the manuscript is that aside from the opening and closing lines, it uses Elohim rather than the Tetragrammaton. The phrase Elohim Elohekha appears throughout The Moses Scroll. Is this phrase attested in the Hebrew Bible? Could it reflect an earlier and perhaps more authentic reading? And what about the geographical references mentioned in the opening lines? Don’t miss Episode Two of The Text of The Moses Scroll.
11 June 2021 – Episode Three – Text of The Moses Scroll
In this episode, Ross and Jone address a question from a listener.
“I find this subject fascinating, but so far have failed to grasp what it is that has both of you believing it is an authentic predecessor to our modern Deuteronomy. We don’t have the originals to perform any tests on. All we apparently have are 19th-century artistic renderings. Sure, some of the features which led scholars to reject it as a forgery we have subsequently confirmed to be genuine from the DSS, but the sense I get is that about the only positive speculation to which one can arrive is that this is an ancient document in the same sense the DSS are. The DSS are all over the place (in terms of content and theology) and simply represent texts that were in circulation at the time. Shapira’s scroll simply becomes another such text. What is it that has you so convinced it’s something closer to the original writings of Moses? What reason would anyone have to suppress the commandment to not hate one’s brother in one’s heart, and isn’t it somewhat odd to have that as a commandment along with the command to not murder one’s brother? I mean if you’re considering murdering your brother you probably bear some level of ill will toward him by this point. BTW in terms of the Exodus 6: 3problem, it would be nice if all bases are covered and people are given as much information as possible. Exodus 6:3, as you well know Jono from your Torah Pearls podcast covering parish Vaeira with Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson, can be read rhetorically, i.e. it’s just as legitimate to read it as “by my name YHWH was I not known to them?” which solves the problem of the elders to which Moses is sent not knowing said name. (And regardless of when you believe this name was “revealed”, the name YHWH present in Genesis is not surprising at all if Genesis was compiled with the rest of the Torah materials well after the name was made known, possibly from original source tablets as speculated by P. J. Wiseman, whose hypothesis was quite compelling if you ask me.) WLT”
25 June 2021 – Episode Four – Text of The Moses Scroll
Whose idea was it to send the spies? Whose idea was it to delegate leadership? Who are the Anakites and is there any archaeological evidence to even support their existence? More importantly, are any of the above narratives derived from the Moses Scroll? Find out in this week’s episode!
12 July 2021 – Episode Five – Text of The Moses Scroll
“…and God committed adultery”?!? How did this highly controversial mistranscription from the paleo-Hebrew text of The Moses Scroll occur? What did it actually say and did it concur with the canonical text? Find out in this week’s episode!
27 July 2021 – Episode Six – Text of The Moses Scroll
The Pentateuch contains several sections that purportedly describe the travel itinerary of the Children of Israel in their wilderness journeys. Sorting the route has proven most difficult due to inconsistencies between books, conflicting place names in the various sources, confused geographical references, and occasional references from later scribes. Numbers 33:1-2 informs us in the third person that Moses wrote a travel itinerary. The Moses Scroll presents a travel itinerary that is consistent with geography and lacking any signs of a later hand. Is this the source text for the travel itinerary of Children of Israel?
23 August 2021 – Episode Seven – Text of The Moses Scroll
Ross & Jono continue with a careful study of the journeys of the Children of Israel contained within the text of The Moses Scroll. Comparing this text to the canonical version found within the Pentateuch, they reveal some interesting variants … variants that resolve discrepancies observed by scholars. What does Zamzumim mean? What is the origin of the plague in Numbers 25:8? Find out in this episode!
31 August 2021 – Episode Eight – Text of The Moses Scroll
In Deuteronomy, the Shema comes after the Ten Commandments. In The Moses Scroll, it comes before. Which is more consistent? Is there a detectable pattern in the Pentateuch when it comes to instruction? Find out in this week’s episode.
14 September 2021 – Episode Nine – Text of The Moses Scroll
Ross and Jono have finally reached the focal point of the text of The Moses Scroll: the Ten Words. In this episode, they provide details about what set THIS version of the Decalogue apart from all others.
24 September 2021 – Episode Ten – Text of The Moses Scroll
On the lid of the Ark of the Covenant are two formed images of heavenly creatures known as Cherubim. They guard the two stone tablets upon which God inscribed the Ten Commandments. The first of these commandments states “You shall not make for yourselves a carved thing or any formed thing which is in the heavens above…” This initially seems perplexing until you realize the Pentateuch speaks of two Arks. Which one appears in The Moses Scroll? Also, the commandment concerning Shabbat recorded in Exodus and Deuteronomy have significant differences. Did God speak both at the same time or does one of the two concur with The Moses Scroll? Ross and Jono address these topics and more in this week’s episode.
11 October 2021 – Episode Eleven – Text of The Moses Scroll
In this episode of their current series discussing the Ten Words according to The Moses Scroll, Ross and Jono discuss the command regarding “parents.” Typically translated as honor/honour, the Hebrew word actually means “give weight.” Does this “command” contain a promise of reward? What was the original reading?
18 October 2021 – Episode Twelve – Text of The Moses Scroll
The 4th Commandment as it appears in The Moses Scroll is, “You shall not kill • the soul of • your brother. • I am • Elohim • your Elohim. •” But what does it mean to “kill the soul” and what exactly is a soul? Why does the Moses Scroll include the qualifier “of your brother” and why is it missing from the canonical text? Ross and Jono address these questions and more in this week’s episode.
25 October 2021 – Episode Thirteen – Text of The Moses Scroll
In this week’s show, Ross & Jono address the 5th Commandment as it appears in The Moses Scroll, “You shall not commit adultery • with the woman • of your neighbor. • I am • Elohim • your Elohim. •” What does it mean to adulterate? Why include the qualifier “of your neighbor”? and who exactly is one’s neighbor anyway? Listen in for the answers to these questions and more.
10 November 2021 – Episode Fourteen – Text of The Moses Scroll
In this program, Ross & Jono make an exciting announcement and also discuss the next commandment “You shall not steal” discussing how The Moses Scroll‘s rendering of the commandment has more in common with Leviticus 19 and Zechariah 5than Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5.
28 November 2021 – Episode Fifteen – Text of The Moses Scroll
Ezekiel 18:20 states that “The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” How does this resolve with passages such as Exodus 20:5, 34:7, and Deuteronomy 5:9 where it states God will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons to the third and fourth generation? Does The Moses Scroll offer a solution? Of course, it does!
21 December 2021 – Episode Sixteen – Text of The Moses Scroll
Ever since Moses Shapira brought The Moses Scroll to the public in 1883 it has been and continues to be, keenly debated in the scholarly world. One point of contention, the commandment as it appears in the document: “You shall not respond • against your brother • with a testimony of • deceit. • I am • Elohim • your Elohim. •” Why is this so controversial? Listen as Ross unfolds the story.
In press 2021. Sass B. Can a unique letterform clinch the authenticity of the Shapira leather manuscripts? A rejoinder to Matthieu Richelle. Semitica 63, 223–242. – Benjamin Sass
2 March 2022 – Episode Seventeen – Text of The Moses Scroll
The final two commandments, as they appear in The Moses Scroll, are as follows: You shall not desire • [your neighbor’s] woman, • his maidservant, • or anything • that is • his. • I am • Elohim • your Elohim. • You shall not hate • your brother • in your heart. • I am • Elohim • your Elohim. But do these commandments number nine and ten, or ten and eleven? Moreover, is the latter commandment represented in the five books attributed to Moses or does it originate from the New Testament?
8 March 2022 – Episode Eighteen – Text of The Moses Scroll
Fragment F of The Moses Scroll is literally a crossword puzzle. It is entirely unreadable but for a scattering of identified letters in the first column. Listen to Ross as he explains how he solved the puzzle to reconstruct the paragraph that appears immediately after the Decalogue. His reconstruction reads as follows: [… “Y]ou [speak] with u[s and we will hea]r, [but let n]ot [Elohim] speak with [us lest] we die. And Elohim heard [your] word[s. And Elohim said to me, “I have heard the words that this people have spoken to you. They are good, all that] they have spoken. • Oh tha[t they had such a heart in them as this, to fear Me and to guard all of My commandments all the] days, in order that [it might go well with them and their sons after them.]