Tuning into ‘real life’, tuning out ‘online’
Each time I’ve sat at my keyboard the last few days, I’ve had no inspiration to write or share anything here.
It’s not ‘writers’ block’ per se, because I am still writing plenty of stuff for myself.
It’s more reflecting some deep ambivalence about spending so much of my time writing ‘disposable information’ that goes in one eye ball, and out the other….
When that information is useful stuff, like the Rav’s shiurim or prayers, it’s totally still worth doing it, and BH I plan to return to posting more stuff from the Rav soon.
But, all the historical stuff I post up here – I’m really wondering if that’s a good use of my time, going forward.
I love doing it, for the most part, and I love sharing it, for the most part.
But, each post that takes you 5 minutes to read takes me 2-3 days (at least) to pull together.
And right now, I am feeling like I need a bit of a break from researching things so in depth.
====
So, what does that leave me to write about, apart from the Rav’s shiurim?
Like you, I am totally sick of all the online speculation about what is going on, most of which is being posted up by people with less than two functioning brain cells.
Probably not like you, I’m also very wary of censorship, and the *trouble* a person can bring down upon their head, God forbid, when they write things that cut too close to the bone.
I’ve been skirting that edge for a very long time already, and I can feel the boundary has somehow jumped much closer.
(Other people, other bloggers, other ‘influencers’ are noticing that too.)
I don’t follow a lot of people, but even in the very small group I do follow, most people have been ‘harassed’ into radical self-censorship, or totally disappearing offline.
There are a million ways you can do that.
Including serving up legal notices suing people for thousands of shekels for ‘copyright infringement’, to name just one favorite tool.
(And btw, that’s part of why this blog got pared down, and most posts contain no images other than those that are 100% public domain.)
====
Most people are literally sleep-walking into totalitarian tyranny, and aren’t even noticing it.
So many Brits still don’t know that there is a ‘non-crime hate crime’ on the books now, that can get them arrested for sharing a single sentence online.
You can read up about it on the British government’s website here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/non-crime-hate-incidents-code-of-practice
Here’s that law in action, from August 2024:
====
On the one hand, the digital net is being pulled tighter, and for anyone who cares about free speech, truth (and real journalism….) that’s pretty concerning.
On the other hand…. all this is from God, still.
And maybe, just maybe, God is sending us all more of a push to stop wasting so much time pontificating online.
Really?
Who cares what I think.
Who cares what you think.
Who are we, anyway, to think that we ‘know stuff’, and to get into pointless arguments with people we’ve never met based on information that is probably mostly fake and untrue?
====
I don’t know about you, dear reader, but my soul is so tired of it all.
So increasingly, I’m wondering how I can ‘write’, and how I can investigate and learn things, more and more ‘offline’, and spending more and more time doing real things with real people.
The debate is ongoing, and I’m just sharing my thoughts with you as to where I’ve got up to.
==
Maybe, I need to start exploring different ways of sharing ideas and information with other people.
I love the blog, I really do.
But at the same time, it’s been a full-time job for 16 years already (!), in all its various guises. And maybe, it’s time to do something different.
So, this is where I am currently holding.
Besides posting up stuff from the Rav, which is clearly meaningful and ‘added value’ for all of us, I’m not sure what else fits in that box at the moment.
For sure, pointless speculation doesn’t.
For sure, big ‘opinions’ from small people like you and me – about stuff we know nothing about, really – doesn’t.
And for sure, getting into self-righteous arguments with online narcs about who is more right…. who is more ‘clever’…. who is more ‘prophetic’…. – all of that is totally pointless, and also ‘detracted value’.
====
Tov.
This is where I’m holding.
If you want to tell me what you think, what’s been useful to you, that you read here on the blog, I’m happy to have your input – also via email, if you’re more comfortable with that.
But if you also prefer to keep shtum, and to go and do other things offline, that’s also a good option.
For all of us.
Until God finally reveals His hand, and puts the cards down on the table, as to what comes next in this ‘geula process’ that is still unfurling, albeit at a very strange pace, and in a very ‘hard to pin down’ way.
I’m on in the am til about 11 or 12, doing blog stuff.
Then outside, or doing household things, baking, etc.
Then back on 5-8pm apprx. (updating or research).
Then OFF…….
Better to break it up, and combine with other things you like to do.
Nothing like Fresh Air and seeing people.
But yom hamishi and you Shishi are for Shabbos prep.
Not everyone does this, Friday in Israel is usually a fun day for many, with seminars, tiyulim, and more. Shame. Shabbat done properly is the key to life.
מקווה שהמכונה שלי
עברית בסדר?
שני הסנטים שלי?
פשוט פרסם את החומר של הרב !!
כל השאר הוא אשליה וזמן יקר לחיות תורה
Please keep posting on the Rav and his chizuk!
Hi, I have sent you a couple of emails through the let’s meet page over the last while, and have never heard back. Maybe you haven’t received them.
I didn’t get them…. if your email on this comment works let me know, and I’ll respond to it.
JUST KEEP PUTTING UP THE RAV’S WORK !!
Thank you for the blog, it has my own life as well as those around me .
Many are “waking up” but don’t really know what to do with their “enlightenment”.
Continuously pointing out that it’s all spiritual, going on for centuries, and ultimately in hashems hands, and we can only change our own egos and self, is something that has really changed anyone I repeated this to.
Rivka, keep doing what you are doing, yes we want to hear alot about what the Rav is saying, but also everything you share with us, because it makes us think for ourselves when things out there don’t add up….your blog is afresh place of sanity and truth….I know life is getting more and more overwhelming….but yes please continue….take brakes when you need ,,,but be with us….
Rivka plzzzzz don’t stop writing! You truely know the pulse of the nation…and individually… Your blog is a safe haven to hear truths 💖 & helping me to truely reevaluate my thinking, immersed in so many lies from within & without! I find myself angry more often than not these last few months, up/down & then flat again…. whenever you post it almost always speaks to me & even sometimes triggers me in good ways! Thank you for your generous spirit & gift of writing clearly …I 💜 soooo appreciate also the writings of the Rav, Tzadik emet.Hashem bless you, everyone connected to you ✡ 💜 with all blessings from the Torah….LeKol HaYeshuot sweetly!
Ever since Chananya Weissman sent me one of your articles two years and a half ago, life has been the better!
I have found the Rav, learnt much, much, much about the World (and unlearnt falsehoods) and how God deals with each of us herein.
Like Talia above said, ’tis a “safe haven.”
Life yet has its hardships, but with God, even in the depths (whither I believe we will soon sink if God not save us beforehand) I must know that I’m only a worker in this World, sent to fulfill my allotted chore until I be gone.