Recent Posts
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You Are What You Worship (Episode 26)
Psalms 115:8 is most commonly translated as a prayer asking G-d to make idolaters like their idols. But Rabbi Pesach Wolicki’s unique (and exact) translation – “Like them shall be those who make them; all who trust in them” – understands this verse as a statement of fact rather than a request. What in the world does it mean? Why will pagans inevitably end up like their objects of worship? And, most importantly, what does that teach us about our own worship of the one G-d? Join David Nekrutman and Rabbi Wolicki to find out.
We are grateful to our sponsors: June White in memory of Dolores Talley Brewer, Zion’s Gate International, and Sherry & Randy Lush.
For information about how you can sponsor the Cup of Salvation Podcast, go to cupofsalvation.com.
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Cup of Salvation Classic: Is It Ever Wrong to Praise the Lord?
Unfortunately, we are unable to release a new episode today, as co-host David Nekrutman is mourning his father, who passed away this week. We extend our sympathies to him.
Psalms 113:3 seems to indicate that there are times to praise G-d, and times when it is wrong to praise Him. How can this be? Doesn’t G-d deserve our praises no matter what occurs in our lives? In this classic episode from last year, David Nekrutman and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki investigate this provocative topic.
We are grateful to our sponsors: June White in memory of Dolores Talley Brewer, Zion’s Gate International, and Sherry & Randy Lush.
For information about how you can sponsor the Cup of Salvation Podcast, go to cupofsalvation.com.
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Cup of Salvation Classic: The Current State of Jewish-Christian Relations
In this classic episode from 2017, David Nekrutman and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki discuss what Jews think of Christians, what motivates Christians who support Israel, and the current state of Jewish Christian relations. The discussion includes talk about the changes that have taken place, the current opportunities, and the possible threats that could negatively affect a healthy partnership between the two faiths.
We are grateful to our sponsors: June White in memory of Dolores Talley Brewer, Zion’s Gate International, and Sherry & Randy Lush.
For information about how you can sponsor the Cup of Salvation Podcast, go to cupofsalvation.com.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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G-d is Not a Vending Machine: Removing Paganism from Our Biblical Faith (Episode 25)
When we read verses like Psalms 115:7, which rejects typical pagan attitudes, we often feel that we can safely join with King David in mocking such silly beliefs. But as Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and David Nekrutman demonstrate, this verse is criticizing us as much as it mocks ancient idolaters. Have we internalized pagan attitudes in our own worship – and if so, how can we purify our walk with G-d? For the unsettling answer to this, as well as for an important lesson in Biblical exegesis, listen to the Cup of Salvation podcast today.
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No Buttons to Push to Arouse the Gods (Episode 24)
At first glance, Psalms 115:6, which describes pagan gods as not hearing or smelling, seems to state the obvious. In that case, why would Rabbi Wolicki claim, “I believe that this is one of the most powerful verses in this entire series of Psalms”? What’s the connection between the sense of smell and worship? How does this play out in the pagan world and in our relationship with G-d?
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Relying on My Rabbit’s Foot: Inside the Pagan Mind (Episode 23)
“Pagans were not stupid.” With these rousing words, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki claims that our usual assumption that pagans were merely silly and foolish prevents us from understanding the real polemic against them in the Bible. If we understand what they were actually thinking, many seemingly innocuous verses in Scripture come alive with meaning. Along with David Nekrutman, Rabbi Wolicki examines Psalms 115:5, and it’s emphasis on an idol’s inability to see or speak (no, these terms are not random). Along the way, Rabbi Wolicki tells a story about an umpire who broke his glasses on the second pitch of a softball game in Virginia… and whether saying that “He’s being punished” is a religious or a pagan attitude.
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