This fascinating documentary film, Shapira and I
(directed by Yoram Sabo), unfolds like a detective story, layer by layer. This is the story of Moses Shapira who sold ancient manuscripts
in a shop in the Christian Quarter in Jerusalem's Old City during the latter
half of the 19th century. During those years, Shapira had in his possession
ancient scrolls of the Book of Deuteronomy but experts at the British Museum decided
that the scrolls were a forgery. Shortly
thereafter, Shapira committed suicide and the scrolls disappeared.
Filmmaker Yoram Sabo, together with cinematographer Yoram
Millo, take us on a compelling journey searching for this lost treasure -- the
ancient scrolls of Deuteronomy. As the
story unfolds, we meet historical researchers, book dealers, and even a British
psychic! We visit a dusty collection of
historical artifacts in a London basement.
We learn that Shapira converted to Christianity and joined Christ Church
in Jerusalem. We read from a book by one
of his daughters who describes her father's shop in the Old City. And most importantly, we begin to realize why
researchers today believe that these scrolls of the Book of Deuteronomy were
actually authentic.
If you are a connoisseur of Jewish history and find meaning
in the Dead Sea Scrolls, then this fascinating story of Moses Shapira will
certainly interest you!
Shapira and I (documentary, 57 minutes) is
available from Ruth Diskin Films.
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