Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Bamidbar, The New Testament as Midrash
This weeks reading is from Parsahat Bamidbar (Bamidbar / Numbers 1:1-4:20). The Torah reading this week tells us the Lord God spoke to Moshe in the Ohel Moed commanding him to number the Children of Israel. The Lord said the Levites were not to be numbered because they are given to the service of the Lord in the Tabernacle...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Bechukotai, Walking in the Testimonies
This weeks reading from Parsahat Bechukotai (Vayikra / Leviticus 26:3-27:34) is the last portion of scriptures from the Book of Leviticus. The parashah begins with God stating to keep His Mitzvot (Commandments) so that the rains will come and the land will produce its fruit in its seasons (26:3-5). Walking in God’s ways will bring peace in the land,...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Behar, Walking in the Spirit and not after the Law… Err… the Flesh?
This weeks reading is from Parsahat Behar (Vayikra / Leviticus 25:1-26:2). The Hebrew Word “Behar” means “on the mountain,” it is the fifth word, and the first distinctive word, in the parashah from the 32nd week of the annual reading of the Torah, and the ninth parashah in the book of Vayikra / Leviticus. In this week’s reading we...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Emor, The Resurrection of the Messiah
This weeks reading is from Parsahat Emor (Vayikra / Leviticus 21:1-24:23) the Lord speaks to the sons of Aaron to be careful not to defile themselves by touching a dead person among his people. The Mitzvah not to shave making baldness on our heads is given, and not to round the edges of our beards, or make cuts in...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Kedoshim, Consecrate Yourself by Honoring Your Parents
This weeks reading is from Parsahat Kedoshim (Vayikra / Leviticus 19:1-20:27) the Lord spoke to Moshe saying we are to be holy (19:1-2), we are to honor our father and mother and not turn to idols or molten gods (19:3-4). We are told not to steal, not to swear falsely, not to slander others, and not to hate your...
Bits of Torah Truths, Chol HaMo’ed Pesach, Passover, Rabbinic thought, and the Messiah
This weeks reading is for Pesach / Passover (Shemot / Exodus 33:12-34:26) and is taken from Parashat Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35). In the scriptures we read that Joshua would not depart from the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting, אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד) and Moshe speaks to the Lord God requesting that His presence come with the Children of Israel (33:12-17). Moshe...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Acharei Mot, Bringing a Sacrifice to the Lord
In weeks reading from Parashat Acharei Mot (Vayikra / Leviticus 16:1-18:30), the Lord spoke to Moshe following the death of Aaron’s two sons saying 16:2 “... ‘Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, or he will die; for...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Metzora, Cleansing, Healing, and the Anointed One
In weeks reading from Parashat Metzora (Vayikra / Leviticus 14:1-15:33), we learn about the mitzvot (Commandments) on the law of Tzaraat (צָּרַעַת, leprosy). The translation for the word Leprosy comes from the Greek word “Lepra” (λέπρα) and is a contagious bacterial disease characterized by ulceration's of the skin, a loss of sensation (nerve damage) and sever deformities. The regulation connected to the...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Tazria, God’s Plan for Separation and Our Choices
In weeks reading from Parashat Tazria (Vayikra / Leviticus 12:1-13:59), the Lord speaks to Moshe saying when a woman gives birth to a baby boy, she will be unclean for seven days (12:1-2) and on the eighth day the child is to be circumcised (12:4). Following the birth, the woman is to remain in the blood of her purification...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Shemini, Do these Scriptures apply? What does it mean to Live as Swine?
In weeks reading from Parashat Shemini (Vayikra / Leviticus 9:1-11:47), we read on the eighth day Moshe called Aaron and his sons and told them to take a bull for a Sin offering and a ram for a Whole burnt offering, for the priesthood. A male goat for a Sin offering, a calf and a lamb both one year...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Tzav, Living Souls, the Messiah, and the Sacrificial System
In weeks reading from Parashat Tzav (Vayikra / Leviticus 6:1-8:36), the Lord speaks to Moshe to command the sons of Aaron regarding the Olah (raise) offering (6:8-9), the Minchah (grain) offering, the Chatat (sin) offering, the Asham (guilt) offering, and the Shelamim (Peace) offering. The Torat (תּוֹרַת, law) of the Olah offering is to keep it burning continually. The...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Vayikra, From the Herd or the Flock and Disciplined Lives
This weeks reading is from Parashat Vayikra (Vayikra / Leviticus 1:1-5:26), the Lord calls to Moshe from the Tent of Meeting saying 1:2 ‘Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When any man of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of animals from the herd or the flock. 1:3 ‘If...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Pekudei, A Light to See in our Journey of Life
This weeks reading is from Parashat Pekudei (Shemot / Exodus 38:21-40:38), the parashah title Pekudei (פְקוּדֵי) means “amounts of,” and is the first distinctive word, in the portion. Parashat Pekudei is the 23rd weekly Torah portion and the 11th and last portion in the book of Shemot / Exodus. The Scriptures detail the materials for the Tabernacle (38:21-31) and...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Vayak’hel, Is the Church something New
This weeks reading is from Parashat Vayak’hel (Shemot / Exodus 35:1-38:20), Moshe assembled the entire congregation of Israel and said “These are the things that the Lord has commanded you to do.” (NASB) They are to keep the seventh day as holy to the Lord, no work is to be done on the Shabbat. A Terumah (contribution) is to...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Ki Tisa, The Half Shekel and Atonement
This weeks reading is from Parashat Ki Tisa (Shemot / Exodus 30:11-34:35), the Lord instructs Moshe to take a census of the people (30:12) and each person is to give a ransom (half-shekel) to the Lord when numbered. Moshe instructs to make the bronze laver and place it between the altar and the tent of meeting (30:17-18), and the...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Tetzave, Grammar, Emphasis, Scripture, and Atonement
This weeks reading is from Parashat Tetzave (Shemot / Exodus 27:20-30:10), which details the construction of the priestly garments. Aaron’s garments are said to consecrate him for the purpose of ministering before the Lord (28:3). The garments consist of the breast-piece, the ephod, a robe, a turban, and a sash (28:4). The ephod was constructed of two pieces connected...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Terumah, The Free Will Offering and Yeshua
This weeks reading is from Parashat Terumah (Shemot / Exodus 25:1-27:19), the Lord tells Moshe to speak to the Children of Israel to raise a contribution for the Lord (25:1, א וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָֹה אֶל-מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר: ב דַּבֵּר אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְֹרָאֵל וְיִקְחוּ-לִי תְּרוּמָה מֵאֵת כָּל-אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִדְּבֶנּוּ לִבּוֹ תִּקְחוּ אֶת-תְּרוּמָתִי:) asking them to give gold, silver, and bronze, linen materials, goat...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Mishpatim, Slaves to Righteousness
This weeks reading is from Parashat Mishpatim (Shemot / Exodus 21:1-24:18), is titled “Mishpatim” meaning ordinances (הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים). The Hebrew text states what one is to do if they have a Hebrew slave (21:2), if a man is forced to sell his daughter because of debt, what is he to do (21:7-9), if a man has a wife he is...
Bits of Torah Truths 5774 Vol. 1
Bits of Torah Truths, 5774 (Vol. 1)
Paperback – by Dr. Duane D. Miller (Author)
Bits of Torah Truths is a fresh and accessible commentary on the weekly Torah portion looking at the English translation along side the Hebrew text. Studying the Torah (the Five Books of Moses) is a value in and of itself because it is the cornerstone of...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Yitro, Consecrate, Sancrify, Make Holy
This weeks reading is from Parashat Yitro (Shemot / Exodus 13:17-17:16), the Scriptures tell us Yitro (Jethro) came to Moshe bringing Moshe’s wife Zipporah and his two sons (18:6-8). Moshe told Yitro everything the Lord had done and Yitro said 18:10 “... ‘Blessed be the Lord who delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Beshalach, Are You Prepared to Meet the Lord?
In this weeks reading, from Parashat Beshalach (Shemot / Exodus 13:17-17:16), there are quite a few things that happen, Pharaoh lets the people go, the Lord led the people by a pillar of cloud during the day and pillar of fire by night. The Lord hardens Pharaoh’s heart again (14:4-9) and his army follow the children of Israel to...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Bo, Is the Lord hardening your heart?
This weeks reading, from Parashat Bo (Shemot / Exodus 10:1-13:16), details the last plagues that God brought upon Egypt and Pharaoh drives the Children of Israel out. In Shemot / Exodus 10:1 the Lord tells Moshe א וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָֹה אֶל-מֹשֶׁה בֹּא אֶל-פַּרְעֹה כִּי-אֲנִי הִכְבַּדְתִּי אֶת-לִבּוֹ וְאֶת-לֵב עֲבָדָיו לְמַעַן שִׁתִי אֹתֹתַי אֵלֶּה בְּקִרְבּוֹ: 10:1 Then the Lord said to Moses,...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Va’era, The Hiddenness of God
In this weeks reading, from Parashat Va’era (Shemot / Exodus 6:2-9:35), the Lord brings the plagues upon Egypt that leads to Pharaoh letting the Children of Israel go. According to Shemot / Exodus 7:5, the Lord declares ה וְיָדְעוּ מִצְרַיִם כִּי-אֲנִי יְהֹוָה בִּנְטֹתִי אֶת-יָדִי עַל-מִצְרָיִם וְהוֹצֵאתִי אֶת-בְּנֵי-יִשְֹרָאֵל מִתּוֹכָם: 7:5 ‘The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Shemot, The Lord will cause the Increase
This weeks reading, from Parashat Shemot (Shemot / Exodus 1:1-6:1), the opening verses detail the sons of Israel who had come to Egypt, that Joseph and all of his brothers had passed away and a new king arose in that did not know Joseph (1:1-7). This king feared the children of Israel and placed them into slavery (1:9-14). The...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Vayechi, The King Messiah
This weeks reading, from Parashat Vayechi (Bereshit / Genesis 47:28-50:26), contains the final chapters of the book of Genesis. The opening verses tell us that Jacob (Israel) lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years and the total years of his life were 147 years. Before Jacob died he asked Joseph saying 47:30 but when I lie down with...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Vayigash, Be Actively Seeking the Lord
This weeks reading is from Parashat Vayigash (Bereshit / Genesis 44:18-47:27) and begins with Benjamin having the cup of Joseph and the sons of Israel trying to explain to that they must return their brother to their father. Joseph then reveals himself to his brothers (45:1-8) and declares וְעַתָּה לֹא-אַתֶּם שְׁלַחְתֶּם אֹתִי הֵנָּה כִּי הָאֱלֹהִים וַיְשִֹימֵנִי לְאָב לְפַרְעֹה וּלְאָדוֹן...
Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Miketz, Do you dream a lot?
This weeks reading is from Parashat Miketz (Bereshit / Genesis 41:1-44:17), Pharaoh has two dreams that deeply disturb him and he seeks a man who can interpret his dreams (41:1-13), he calls Joseph and asks him to interpret his dream. Joseph replies saying “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” Note Joseph says that...
