A new generation of Dead Sea Scroll scholars may change our understanding of the history of Judaism and Christianity. Deeply immersed himself in Scroll research, Lawrence H. Schiffman surveys “The Significance of the Scrolls.” Recently granted a peek at the long awaited, but still-unpublished, text known as MMT, Schiffman assesses this document and finds in it evidence that the origin of the Qumran sect is Sadducean, rather than Essene. Schiffman is professor of Hebrew and Judaic studies at New York University, where he also serves as director of graduate studies in the Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies. […]