Torah and Today with Rabbi Krebs

In the Torah, names often symbolize the character traits of the individuals or places they represent. Yet, names can also serve as blessings, embodying the hopes and aspirations we hold for our children, as well as the qualities we wish for them to embrace. Moshe’s name, in particular, carries a profound mystery...

Do we bless our children because they are deserving of blessing, or do we bless them because they are in need of it? This is the profound question tied to the blessing we bestow upon our children every Friday night, as reflected in this week’s parsha.

Yosef instructs his family to seemingly offend Pharaoh during their first meeting. Surprisingly this was done with immense insight and foresight.

Humility requires a delicate balance: acknowledging who you are without overstating or understating it, while also recognising who you are not. This is the profound challenge that Yosef excelled in.

At pivotal moments, the right person appears at the right time to deliver the message we need to hear. In this week’s parsha, Yosef experiences such an encounter.

We often assume that feelings drive behaviour, but more often, it’s the reverse: our behaviour shapes our feelings, which then influence future actions. Yaakov fears that his actions toward his brother could fundamentally alter who he is at his core.

There are moments when we can fulfil multiple mitzvot simultaneously with minimal effort or stress. While this may seem efficient, the Torah encourages us to shift our focus from quantity to the quality of each mitzvah. Rather than seeking to maximise results or check off goals, we are called to be fully present, investing intention and care into the mitzvah at hand. True spiritual growth lies not...

In this week’s parasha, Toldot , we encounter a pivotal moment in Jewish history: Yaakov disguises himself as his brother Esau to receive the blessings intended for him. This act of deception—presenting oneself as something one is not—is referred to in Jewish thought as Geneivat Da’at —literally, “stealing someone’s understanding” or misrepresenting the truth. While Yaakov’s actions were part of a...

Avraham and Sarah are often portrayed as embodying a deep bond of affection and mutual respect, a partnership that serves as a model for many. In contrast, Yitzchak and Rivka's relationship seems more complex—marked by minimal recorded interaction and even moments of deception. Can such a dynamic still be considered a blueprint for a successful marriage? Surprisingly, it might be.

The city of Sodom was evil in the eyes of Hashem. The source of this evil wasn't crime or murder, it was their failure to care for the vulnerable. Evil need not be active deeds, it can also be neglect and indifference.

On one hand, resilience—the drive to get back up and try again—is central to personal growth and development. We're often told, "Never give up!" But there are also moments when holding on means sacrificing good resources, time, and energy for outcomes that may never come to fruition. How do we decide when to persevere and when to let go? Even Avraham faced this challenge.

Are we good people, or are we only good in relation to those around us?  In the introductory verse to this week's Parsha, Noah is described as being "righteous in his generation". Was he really a Tzaddik, or just better than everyone else?

We often ask Hashem questions, but what happens when Hashem asks us a question?  Does Hashem not know the answer?

We all want to help others, but that kindness is often manipulated by opportunists looking to exploit our compassionate nature. Do we still fulfil the mitzvah of Tzedaka when we give to false causes? 

There are many ideas in the Torah that seem to be immoral by today's standards; slavery, sacrifices and the treatment of women. Perhaps modern days values are not in conflict with the Torah, but rather as a result of the Torah.

The parsha mentions certain people exempt from fighting, one of them is someone who is scared. What's the logic behind this exemption? What else can we learn from this process?

How often have we felt that if "I just had a sign" it would enhance my faith? Why doesn't Hashem help us believe in Him?

If Hashem wants us to do mitzvot, why do we see observant people suffering? Does the Torah promise a good life if we "Just do the right thing?"

In the week before Tisha b'Av we look towards the famous story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza and how the our Sages saw a learnable lesson in the story, regarding our interpersonal relationships and looking towards predictable outcomes from current decisions.

What matters in Judaism: the end result or the intent of the actor? Or perhaps a combination of both. In this week's episode we try navigate the thin line between good intentions and good results.

Pinchas is a vigilante; he takes matters into his own hands and executes justice as he sees fit. In this week's Parsha we see that Hashem rewards Pinchas' behaviour, rather than condemning it. What lessons should we take from this incident and how does it frame the concept of extremism in Judaism?

Bilaam is a strange character, who seems to have every one of his poor choices sanctioned by Hashem. Rashi suggests that the challenge of free choice is that sometimes even our poor choices can, at times, seem to be good ones.

In this week's Parsha Moshe is denied entry into the land of Israel. We will discuss the different approaches to understanding the harshness of the punishment, and suggest a new approach to understanding leadership- more specifically when is it time to stand down.

In this week's parsha Moshe's leadership is challenged, but those who seek to depose him are not considered evil, but rather misguided fools with good intent. 

Is a minyan only 10 men over Bar Mitzvah? Not really....in this class we delve into a topic that is a bit more complex than one might have thought.