Long ago I read a thought provoking article by Lt. Dave Grossman, In the article he defines three groups in society: sheep, sheepdogs, and wolves.
The sheep are the kind, good people who don’t want to think anything bad will happen, and take no actions to protect themselves from that possibility. (This term is not used as a pejorative.) The wolves are obviously the bad guys who prey on others. The focus of the article is on the sheepdogs – the good guys who have the capacity to confront and resist evil.
In the context this was written, I fall well into the sheep category – depending on the good guys to physically defend me in a bad situation. But I’ve been thinking a lot about this analogy lately, since it goes further than readiness to respond to physical threats.
When a physical crime is enacted, it’s clear that evil is taking place. But there are other dangers that aren’t visible even when they are happening in front of our eyes.
Sheepdogs have the ability to recognize the danger long before others, and their task is to protect the flock. They write articles, speak out, hold rallies, and warn others about the dangers with the intention to help others protect themselves.
We need the sheepdogs, the people who will stand in the uncomfortable space of recognizing threats (dangers that the ‘sheep’ prefer to think don’t exist) and taking steps to neutralize those dangers to the rest of the population.
Since last winter, our sheepdogs have increasingly have been censored, silenced and deplatformed. And who are left? The wolves and those who think everything the wolves do is for their benefit. ***
Many months ago the media adroitly took steps to promote a narrative that would divide and polarize the population, defining anyone who questions their narrative as selfish, paranoid, conspiracy theorists. Since the vast majority of us are good, kind people who care about our fellows and want to get along with them, we went along with that. We distanced ourselves from being defined as part of that undesirable population.
Rather than question the narrative ourselves, we turned on the those who are trying to alert us – for our own protection – that excessive government control was dangerous to our freedoms. It’s so much easier to live in denial than to confront evil, and it’s easier to turn on the sheepdogs than on the wolves. The great irony is that by turning against those who are protecting us, we leave ourselves wide open to harm by the wolves.
Truth and the defense of truth is very important to me. In this context, that makes me a sheepdog. For a sheepdog to act like a sheep is deeply distressing, and I’ve been living with an acute sense of conflict for months as I continually hold back. I want you to be aware of what is happening, so you consciously make choices that will best serve you, and so you can prepare for the challenges that are coming. Not because it gives me the jollies to alarm anyone, but to keep your family safe.
You may be asking yourself, is she talking about the jabberwocky? Yes, in part, but it’s much bigger than that.
My lifeblood is to educate and empower others, so you can live your best lives. I predicted the current censorship, which has been extraordinarily successful – and most of the population has no idea how extensive the censorship is, because you can’t hear those who are silenced – and I believe we’re going to see increasing censorship: of holistic health, nutrition, education, economics, etc. All the things I write about that are still acceptable to talk about now, which preemptively I am reluctant to continue to write about. Dissension and even independent thought are not going to be tolerated.
In my final expressive arts class, we were asked to decorate a slice of a circle that defined each of us, and then the slices were connected to make a whole.
When we were asked to share about my painting, I didn’t want to speak, since it was so emotional and conflicting for me. My core essence is to outflow in all directions, to share with and impact others, and it’s painful to me that sharing with others about anything that isn’t superficial feels unsafe.
None of us can or should repress our core selves. It’s not fair to me, but it’s also not fair to you. I don’t know how to navigate this new world that is going insane. I may change some of my wording or in some cases, you may have to read between the lines of what I write and extrapolate. Or I may choose not write. Sometimes it takes so much emotional energy to think about writing that I’m left too tired to actually write. But I’m going to try.
Avivah
***Edited to clarify: I am not referring to the average person or lay advocate who takes a different position than myself as ‘wolves’. I absolutely abhor the demonization of people on either side of the aisle. My reference is to much broader forces.
Kol HaKavod Avivah, you are right on track. Very easy to read between the lines by those of us “sheepdogs” who have been fighting all of this tooth and nail for coming up to 2 years in the winter. Really, even before that but there was no immediate threat that we recognized prior to that time.
I am trying to keep up my Bitachon and know that Hashem is making all of this happen and that he can protect us anywhere. Anyway, the ways things are going, there are no absolutely safe havens but we all have to do our Hishtadlus. I wish I knew more what that was and wish there was a safe forum to communicate. May Hashem give strength to the “sheepdogs” to continue our missions and protect all of the sheep and sheepdogs and help us recognize the wolves.
I constantly work on emuna and trusting Hashem, at the same time knowing that there’s always an aspect of hishtadlus that is incumbent on each of us in any given scenario to bring down Hashem’s bracha. (I edited part of your comment that was personal to me, I am aware of that trend.)
I thought it might be something like that! Glad you put in the rest. The struggle between Bitachon and Hishtadlus is something we have to work on in every part of our lives. A friend of mine stocked up on essentials in her machsan but put a Psuk on a paper across the supplies about Bitachon, to remind her each time she looked at them that no matter what she does, the result is always from Hashem.
I feel for you. I’ve been living in the unsafe sheepdog world for 3 years already and it takes its toll. I began with rallies etc….and have zero energy for the next round.
Lots more to add, but too exhausting.
Thank you for sharing, H, and thank you for all that you’ve done! It absolutely takes a huge amount of physical and emotional energy and I’m in awe of those of you who have done and continue to do all that you’re doing.
Thank you for your tremendous courage and integrity. I hope that you will feel comfortable writing your thoughts and opinions. I really appreciate the intelligence, knowledge, and independent thinking that you possess.
Thank you, Brindy!
The thing about wolves, Avivah, is that when they have eaten the closest prey they go searching for the next victim. And on and on it goes. I understand your fears and concerns, but in the long term I think the sheep in your example end up having to become sheepdogs or join the wolves. The choice to just get along is taken from them. Your powerful voice is needed.
Shabbat Shalom
You’re absolutely right, Susan. I often think of the following:
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
– Pastor Martin Niemöller
My husband keeps saying that quote over and over. It’s so apt! I find it very frustrating the blank looks I get when I tell people that it’s immoral to use a green passport, b/c it creates discrimination against those unable to use them. Susan is totally right, the adult sheep are all being forced into making a choice between being a sheepdog or a wolf. It’s the children who are really being betrayed, as it’s not their choice to make.
I so appreciate your courage and your sincere and wise writing, please do keep on writing even if it has to be coded.
Avivah, dearest, I think that this is one of the most important pieces you have written, EVER! Kol hakavod to you, for living in a way that is true to your core values and speaking your truth.
Thank you for the kudos, Rena. I’d love more feedback on why you consider this post so important.
I constantly ask myself if I’m staying too quiet, not just here but in real life. And at the same time, I’ve never been a believer in sharing information with someone who’s not interested in what you have to say; I don’t believe in trying to convince others of my position on anything. But there are very real threats and it’s incredibly disheartening how few people have their eyes open when the information isn’t hidden. (Censored, definitely, but still available on alternate platforms.)
Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt! 🙂 🙂
Avivah, I have enjoyed reading your blog for a number of years now, in part because it gives me a perspective I wouldn’t normally have, especially when it comes to food, parenting, and living as a Jew in Israel. Our politics likely diverge, but it’s important to me to listen to other voices that give me opportunities to expand my world. What I found interesting about your post is that I’ve heard similar sentiments from my friends on the pro-vaccine/pro-mask side about “sheep,” especially. There are plenty of “sheepdogs” on the pro-mask side, too, and I know many who consider anti-maskers/anti-vaxxers to be the real “wolves,” out to destroy us all. Each side distrusts the other, which is really a shame.
I come from the perspective that the virus doesn’t care if you are liberal or conservative, Christian or Jew, man or woman – it’s just wants your warm human body. I feel comfortable being masked and don’t consider it a burden; I think of it as more about protecting others, especially those who can’t get vaccinated because of their own health issues. Full disclosure: I am fully vaccinated, too, and gladly took the Pfizer vaccination in the spring.
Probably like you, I’m doing the best I can and following the guidance that I find most useful and appropriate. I think part of my perspective is supported by being a breast cancer survivor who has traveled in a world where there’s a lot of expertise, a lot of research, and a lot of experience in treating this disease, but also understanding that medicine isn’t perfect and approaches change over time. I recognize a similar thing in the work to solve the COVID crisis. In any case, I wish you and your family happiness and good health during these trying times.
Meg, what a beautifully and respectfully written comment! Thank you.
I appreciate everything that you said, and agree, that on different sides of a given issue will be those who feel equally strongly. I personally don’t consider the average person nor the lay advocates to be in the category of ‘wolves’, and think it’s horrible to look at our fellow humans who make different choices as the enemy. There are much bigger forces that concern me and it is those forces that I refer to as wolves, never the average person who may differ in their choices from me.
I also share your belief that everyone is following the guidance that is best for them. I support everyone in making those choices, and don’t want to see anyone on either side of the aisle demonized.
I hope you will continue to read and to share your feedback!
Avivah I find it very hard to read your site since you’ve taken this direction, I won’t lie.
I’m not sure you’ll miss me at all but- thank you for past blogs, for sharing your life and experience.
I think this is where we must part.
B’hatzalcha,
Rivkah.
I’m sorry to see you go, Rivkah.
When you say that I’ve taken ‘this direction’, what do you mean? Do you mean sharing my concerns about one topic? Because the direction of my blog has always been what I think and do, and that’s not going to change to focus on one topic exclusively.
I fully support everyone in making the choice that is right for them. I’m not ‘anti’ anyone or anything. I would hope that people could share different perspectives and dialogue respectfully and hear one another. We don’t all have to agree all the time. It’s sad to me that after writing for fifteen years, close to 2000 posts, that expressing my personal concerns on any topic would cause you to leave.
It’s your choice, of course, and I understand that it’s more comfortable to read things from those who share one’s position. I take an overall position in life of ‘take what you like and leave the rest’, but maybe that’s not possible for you in this context and that’s fine.
On my header my tagline reads, Trade the illusion on control for powerful influence. That’s my deep belief that is behind everything that I do, that people should not be coerced, not in parenting, not in health, not in government. It’s the coercion that is my concern, not the specifics of what is being pushed.
I wish you all the best. Have a ksiva v’chasima tova and may you be blessed with all good things!
Thanks for your courage in writing what needs to be heard.
Avivah, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I missed hearing from you. I always appreciate your perspective expressed clearly and respectfully.
I read your blog because I want to hear your opinion. Honestly, I’ve found your posts from the last year or so to be rather blah because I feel that you are holding back. I’m always happy to learn new things, and I respect your opinion in the world of holistic/alternative health and living.
P.S. I just got vaxxed, even though I’m a machlimah. I didn’t rush to do it, though. In general I see myself as in the middle when it comes to vaccines, in that I’m neither pro-vax nor anti vax.
But I understand that your concerns are broader, something in the direction of censorship/manipulation of the information which reaches the public and strong government control overriding personal rights and freedoms. I’d love to hear an elaboration of your view. Certainly there is some of this, but I tend to be skeptical of stuff like this on a global level, because from what I see people (politicians, governments, etc.) generally cannot get along well enough to pull off big plots like this successfully.
Thank you very much for your comment, Shira. I’ve been aware of staying with neutral topics and it’s interesting that you’ve sensed me holding back in my writing.
I don’t know how much more I can say outright than what I have but I think you’re understanding my concerns pretty accurately. I just wrote and scheduled a post, and when I read a paragraph of it to my husband, his first concern was that my site still isn’t backed up and could be blocked again once the post is published. So I rescheduled the post for a couple more days from now to hopefully find someone to back up my site first.