Tikva Blaukopf, at The Blogs

Aug 21, 2020, 3:29 PM

When I go to battle for what’s most important, am I avoiding all collateral damage? Lives can be so fleeting, but man is a tree in the field, where God is right now (Shofetim)

Jun 19, 2020, 3:20 PM

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In defense of Korach

'The Punishment of the Rebels,' a fresco by Sandro Botticelli, the Sistine Chapel, Rome. On the right, the rebels attempt to stone Moses, Joshua protecting him. The center shows Korach and conspirators being driven out by Moses and Aaron. To the left, the ground opens and the two principal conspirators sink into it. (Wikipedia)

Should society always be ecumenical, meeting individuals where they are, or can we accept the challenges that push for personal growth?

Apr 8, 2020, 11:34 AM

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The quality of darkness

Illustrative. Massacre of the Firstborn and Egyptian Darkness, c. 1490, Spanish hand-colored woodcut. (National Gallery of Art, Washington, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.716/Wikipedia)

The ninth plague literally left the Egyptians in the dark; for the Israelites, it simply cloaked the coming light of redemption

Feb 28, 2020, 2:33 PM

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The Tabernacle’s beauty is hidden, and that’s the point

Model of the Tabernacle, as seen in Israel, Timna Park. (Ruk7, Wikipedia)

The Mishkan’s beauty comes not only from its sumptuous fabrics and luxuriant appointments, but also from the element of giving by each person that made it (Terumah)

Jan 3, 2020, 6:49 AM

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The terror of the asymptote – Vayigash and Goshen

'Joseph and His Brothers,' by Franz Anton Maulbertsch, between 1745-1750. (Wikimedia Commons)

A reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers -- but how close can they really get? (Vayigash)

Dec 20, 2019, 3:01 PM

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The cloak of many colors was reportedly made of snakeskin

'Joseph's Tunic,' Diego Velázquez, 1630. (Wikipedia)

Why did the sages see fit to connect Jacob's show of favoritism to Joseph with the deceitful serpent from Eden?

Apr 12, 2019, 3:42 PM

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Faking it

Illustrative: Sheep feed on carnations, April 26, 2013. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)

When we surpass our own internal glass ceilings, we discover new, untold potential (Metzora)

Feb 15, 2019, 12:07 PM

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Tetzaveh: Folded in perpetual seam

Clothing for High Priests, part of the display for the Tabernacle replica at BYU. (CC BY, Ben P L/ Wikimedia Commons)

We mask the edges of our identity with the seams of the guises we present, and must take care not to forget what is us and what is adornment

Sep 30, 2018, 1:08 PM

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Shemini Atzeret: Breaking the cycle

Illustrative. The spiral (helix) staircase in Ljubljana's skyscraper. (iStock)

The oft-overlooked holiday offers an escape from old habits -- a launch pad to create new channels of love, communication, and growth

Sep 21, 2018, 1:50 AM

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Singing out water from the rock

Illustrative. Waterfall from the rocks. (Pixnio)

Haazinu is an ode to God, to our relationship with God, and to the magnificence of Torah; this is my ode to Haazinu

About Me

Tikva Blaukopf Schein lives in Jerusalem, where she runs Torah-poetry slams, teaches, and learns. She is enaged in doctoral research at Bar Ilan University on laughter. Her BA is from Oxford University in Classical and Oriental Studies.