Cup of Salvation: A Bible Study on Psalms

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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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"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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At first glance, Psalms 115:4 seems to say nothing but the blindingly obvious: "Their idols are silver and gold; the work of human hands." But Rabbi Pesach Wolicki tells David Nekrutman that King David uses a surprising term for "idol" which changes everything; that instead of repeating something we already know, he is teaching something important about human trust, toil, expectation, and disappointment. What does this have to do with United States currency? Leave it to David and Rabbi Wolicki to figure it out.

Sometimes, we're fortunate enough to experience a direct and obvious gift from G-d; other times, we are brought low and experience suffering. Should we welcome suffering, or ask for it to be removed? Should we look at it as something good, something bad, or something else entirely? How do we praise G-d when He has created a situation which is objectively bad, but has had a positive effect upon our spiritual lives? Join David and Pesach to discover a deep message about how we must understand life's trials and tribulations, and the mysterious and ambiguous plans that G-d has for each one of us.

Unusual Biblical grammar does not mean that the Bible was poorly written; it means that we have to work to uncover its deeper meaning. Psalms 116:6, which has always perplexed translators, exemplifies this notion. David and Pesach dig into the text, and discover the surprising truth that this verse is dealing with the redemptive aspect of suffering. Although we never wish to have major suffering in our lives, and usually cannot explain the reason for suffering, we nonetheless can affirm that suffering often gets us back to the basics in our relationship with G-d, by helping us to ignore the frivolous and unimportant parts of life that tend to take over our consciousness.

Psalms 116:6 is usually translated, "The L-rd protects the unwary; when I was brought low, He saved me." But once again the translators missed the boat, and in so doing ignored a huge lesson about the theological significance of suffering. While many think that this topic is primarily addressed in the books of Job and Lamentations, the Psalms of Praise, Hallel, has it's own "suffering theology." Join Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and David Nekrutman for another enlightening and passionate discussion that again shows that the message of the Bible is far deeper than you imagined.

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What's going on? Psalms 116:5 has three textual anomalies, and the translators pretty much ignore them. Moreover, the name of G-d in this verse is NEVER associated with the attribute of mercy... except here. Not to worry: David Nekrutman and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki explain it all, offering tremendous insights into theology and our relationship with G-d. It's time to take to the streets with our picket signs and protest against the translators.

One of the challenges in reading the Bible is the lack of stage directions; sometimes, it's hard to know what tone and inflection is implied. But Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and David Nekrutman explain that the Bible at times offers subtle clues about how a word is supposed to be read - and Psalms 116:4 offers a great example. Believe it or not, all it takes is one letter - a letter that doesn't affect the meaning or even the reading of one short word - to change everything.

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There are times when it seems obvious that it's right to pray. But what about those instances where prayer seems irrelevant... or possibly even inappropriate? If I caused my own problems, is it right to involve G-d by asking Him to fix matters of my own doing? Join Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and David Nekrutman for an important discussion about what we need to do at those moments when prayer seems like the wrong solution.

Back in our controversial "Praisegate" episode, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki asserted that the night - a symbol for times of suffering - is the wrong time to praise the Lord. But in this episode, he makes a 180 degree turn, and notes that the Psalmist calls out to G-d at ALL times, day and night. What's the difference between calling out and praising? How do many translators miss the point when translating Psalms 116:2? And what does this teach us about the nature of our own prayers? Learn the answers - and get a description of Jerusalem Day in Jerusalem - on the latest Cup of Salvation podcast.