The Lost Book of Moses

December 14, 2015
This concise volume documents the little-known story of Moses Wilhelm Shapira, a discredited antiquities treasure hunter who, in 1883, made an amazing announcement. He claimed to have obtained several scrolls that contain a very early version of the book of Deuteronomy, authenticated as dating back to the time of Moses. Such a discovery, if genuine, would revolutionize biblical studies. Scholars have denied Mosaic authorship of this fifth book of the Pentateuch. And although these scrolls do not contain the complete book of Deuteronomy as contained in our modern Bibles, such a discovery would cause a major reconsideration of Mosaic authorship. The subsequent discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls caused scholars to reexamine Shapira’s scrolls. Journalist Tigay takes us through the story of Shapira’s shame, his discovery, and his suicide, tracing each step of this complex and curious story across Europe and through the Middle East. In the end, Tigay offers a dynamic and satisfying account of a strange, remarkable man whose discovery could turn the world of biblical scholarship on its head.

March 1, 2016

In this chronicle that reads like a historical mystery, journalist Tigay follows the life of Jerusalem-based antiquities dealer Moses Wilhelm Shapira (1830-84), a purveyor of fake biblical artifacts who claimed to have found the world's oldest Bible. The author traces Shapira's trail across countries in Europe, then Australia and Israel in an effort to locate the ancient scrolls. Ultimately accused of forging the documents, Shapira fled to the Netherlands, where he later committed suicide. Following the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, scholars wanted to compare both sets of scriptures but were unable to locate Shapira's collection. In this globe-trotting narrative, Tigay's talents for tracking down Shapira's scrolls and verifying them as inauthentic makes for a wonderfully entertaining read and places the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in historical context. VERDICT Readers who enjoy archaeology, history of archaeology, or unsolved mysteries will find much to enjoy in this well-written work that will keep readers' attention to the final pages.--John Dockall, Austin, TX

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from December 15, 2015
The search for the world's oldest biblical manuscript. In an intriguing and wide-ranging tale, journalist Tigay takes readers along on a mystery spanning two centuries and four continents. The author, son of a Hebrew scholar, became fascinated with the story of Moses Wilhelm Shapira, a Jewish-born Christian convert who dealt in antiquities and was briefly one of the most famous men in England. Prior to his suicide in 1884, Shapira had claimed to have procured an original copy of the book of Deuteronomy, a find that was poised to shake the foundations of biblical scholarship. However, accusations that the document was forged led Shapira to disappear and, eventually, take his own life. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls several decades later renewed the possibility that Shapira's scrolls were real; but by then, they were lost. Tigay is the latest in a line of scholars and adventurers intent on discovering more about Shapira and, if possible, his mysterious scrolls. The author succeeds in weaving two stories together: the tale of Shapira's life, career, and downfall and his own search for the scrolls. Both are arresting. Shapira's tragic tale, painstakingly reconstructed, is touching and informative. "No matter how far Shapira had come or how high he had climbed...the world he had so strived to impress and in which he had tried so desperately to fit still saw him as a tricky little Jew from Poland," writes the author. His own tale concerning his dogged search for the manuscript builds satisfying drama. He takes readers along on forays into quaint museums, aging archives, libraries of all sizes, private homes, and even the unoccupied space where Shapira took his own life. In the end, Tigay found what he was looking for, though not as he expected. Beyond that, he also came to know Shapira as a human being, not simply as a shadowy figure from the past. A work of broad appeal, for the history buff and mystery lover alike.

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