Trump said weighing who to scapegoat for Iran war as he clashes with Netanyahu over renewed attack

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-said-weighing-who-to-scapegoat-for-iran-war-as-he-clashes-with-pm-over-renewed-attack/?utm_source=The+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=daily-edition-2026-11-02&utm_medium=email

US president reportedly asking advisers about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and US military chief Dan Caine; Trump said to favor giving talks more time before new round of strikes

US President Donald Trump may scapegoat his defense and military chiefs for the state of the Iran war, according to a Sunday report, even as he considers resuming attacks on the country following the US midterm elections on Tuesday.

The war is deeply unpopular in the United States, and with no resolution to the conflict in sight, is expected to hurt Trump’s Republican Party in Tuesday’s votes for the US Congress. Oil prices have risen as Iran continues to obstruct shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.+

Citing two unnamed sources outside the administration who are close to Trump, the report said Trump is asking about Hegseth and Caine’s job performance, though it did not indicate that he is on the verge of firing either. The report added that Hegseth is unpopular in the White House and has been providing Trump with rosy assessments of the fighting.

“Hegseth is good at telling the president what he wants to hear,” one of the outside advisers told The Atlantic.

Bibi Derangement Syndrome Is Spreading

https://www.thefp.com/p/douglas-murray-benjamin-netanyahu-israel-elections-gadi-eisenkot?utm_source=tfp-weekly-roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=freebriefing&utm_content=picked-for-you

Years before Trump Derangement Syndrome, there was a longer-lasting and even more virulent strain of the phenomenon: Bibi Derangement Syndrome. Americans, Europeans, and everyone else in the world—even Israelis—can suffer from it. And as Tuesday’s election in Israel demonstrates, BDS is a vision-impairing condition.

Go to Israel and have any normal experience in Tel Aviv, and you will return home wondering how on earth Benjamin Netanyahu was ever elected even once. After all, nobody you will meet has voted for him. Or at least admits to it. Look at almost any opinion poll, including those before the latest election, and you will consistently—almost systematically—see Netanyahu’s popularity vastly underestimated. He surprises every time.

With him having been prime minister for 19 of the last 30 years and the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, the term “political survivor” doesn’t begin to do justice to Netanyahu’s political longevity. When he began his first term as prime minister, Bill Clinton was president of the United States, John Major was the British prime minister, and Jacques Chirac was president of France. Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria, King Hussein ruled Jordan, and Hosni Mubarak was Israel’s negotiating partner as Egyptian president. Nancy Pelosi had already spent 10 years in Congress.

Purpose of Mitzvos

 Rav Dov Katz (Pulmos HaMusar page 337): There are two views concerning the purpose of observing mitzvos. 1) It is an end in itself which is to fulfill the will of G d. 2) It is a means to educate and develop man to spiritual perfection - which he is obligated to achieve. Many of the opponents of Mussar hold the first view that man’s primary obligation in the world is simply to fulfill G d’s will and to keep His commandments. Their focus is to clarify the commandants so that they are done as precisely as possible. They are not concerned with investigating and clarifying the hidden aspects of man. They don’t value being involved in clarification of hashkofa issues. They are not curious about the psychological forces and the depths of the heart. They don’t examine their personality traits and their manifestations. They have no interest in seclusion and mediation. They serve G d purely and simply. On the other hand, they are fully aware that the Torah requires spiritual development and personality development. However, they view these as commandments that are no different than the other commandments of the Torah. While some of them accept that they require preparation and others see these commandments as an end in themselves - none of this group require a special program to achieve this personal perfection. Instead they assert that one should be totally devoted to an in depth study of Torah - which is superior to all else - and are very concerned with exacting observance of mitzvos. They are concerned with extra stringencies according to their clarification of the nature of the Halacha and view this approach as the way to achieve personal perfection and the perfection of the world. In contrast to this group, those who require Mussar belong to the second group that the prime focus of man is his obligation for spiritual perfection. This second group asserts that G d’s will is not fulfilled simply by keeping His commandments as expressions of G d’s authority. They require that the focus be on the commandments as the means to achieve spiritual and personal perfection. The consequence of this perspective is that commandments are seen, as means - not ends in themselves. Therefore, it is not sufficient to simply physically perform the mitzva. They seek means and strategies to involve the inner person, as well as his thoughts and his emotions. They view that the primary impact of the mitzva does not come from a mechanical performance - though they don’t denigrate that is produced by it - but only that which penetrates and influences the inner being.

Trump Phone Durability Test - Its worse than we thought...

Some Michigan Jewish Democrats disavow Stevens over endorsement of El-Sayed’s GOP rival

 https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-913520

“I would rather debate our disagreements in a democratic institution than one that has been eroded by Trump and Rogers,” said Michigan congressional candidate Jeremy Moss.

“There are people who are looking at their ballot right now and feeling genuine anguish. I understand this,” Moss told the crowd, naming the spring’s Temple Israel attack in the state. “But Mike Rogers is not the solution to this problem.”

The dual perspectives epitomized the dilemma many of Michigan’s Jewish voters are facing in the campaign’s final days. A sizable contingent of the state’s Jews are increasingly troubled by El-Sayed’s statements on Israel and antisemitic acts, including his recent refusal to name whether Israel or Iran posed a greater threat to the United States.

‘He’s united Arab Israelis’: Ben Gvir’s harsh policies drive high turnout in Arab towns

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/hes-united-arab-israelis-ben-gvirs-harsh-policies-drive-high-turnout-in-arab-towns/?utm_source=The+Weekend+Edition&utm_campaign=weekend-edition-2026-11-01&utm_medium=email

“We hate Ben Gvir but are also grateful to him,” said Einad al-Qassassi. “He’s united Arab Israelis.”

Unusually, Bedouin women were also turning out to vote. Nimr Abu Shiban said, “In the past, my wife and daughters wouldn’t have voted. But the country is in such bad hands that everyone is voting today.”

In nearby Jewish towns, right-wing parties sought to use the high Arab vote to mobilize their own supporters.

How an attempt at Democratic unity in Michigan imploded

 https://edition.cnn.com/2026/11/01/politics/haley-stevens-abdul-el-sayed-mike-rogers-michigan-primary-what-happened

As recently as Saturday night, the prospect of Democrat Haley Stevens endorsing Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race had seemed implausible.

Stevens issued a statement praising Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed for saying he disagreed with a controversial advertisement that blamed the high cost of living in Michigan on the United States’ aid to Israel. Despite a week of speculation about her withdrawing an endorsement for El-Sayed, her primary rival, she repeatedly said that she would do no such thing.

There have long been signs of discontent with El-Sayed within the Democratic coalition. Stevens was strongest in the August primary with Black and Jewish Democrats, some of whom have balked at supporting El-Sayed, a Muslim who is a strident critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza and an advocate for ending foreign aid for Israel’s military.

Some Michigan Jewish Democrats disavow Stevens over endorsement of El-Sayed’s GOP rival

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/some-michigan-jewish-democrats-disavow-stevens-over-endorsement-of-el-sayeds-gop-rival/

Meanwhile, other Jewish community leaders recommended rejecting both candidates by writing in Jewish poet Emma Lazarus on their ballots in Tuesday’s US midterms

Simultaneously, another Democrat, Michigan Rep. Hillary Scholten, appeared with several rabbis to address a different audience of Jews uncomfortable with El-Sayed’s rhetoric on Israel. On that Zoom following Scholten’s appearance, some leaders of the Nonnegotiable movement urged their group of Jewish voters to write in “Emma Lazarus,” the 19th-century Jewish poet and activist whose words grace the base of the Statue of Liberty, on their ballots instead.

The dual perspectives epitomized the dilemma many of Michigan’s Jewish voters are facing in the campaign’s final days. A sizable contingent of the state’s Jews are increasingly troubled by El-Sayed’s statements on Israel and antisemitic acts, including his recent refusal to name whether Israel or Iran posed a greater threat to the United States. Some, including Stevens’ fiancé Jason Turkish, a Democratic megadonor, have publicly said they would vote for Rogers.

Schumer’s Attack on Haley Stevens Sparks Online Firestorm, Critics Call Him a ‘Modern-Day Judenrat’

 https://vinnews.com/2026/11/01/schumers-attack-on-haley-stevens-sparks-online-firestorm-critics-call-him-a-modern-day-judenrat/

 Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is facing mounting backlash on social media after attacking Rep. Haley Stevens for endorsing Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan, with elected officials, prominent Jewish figures and political commentators sharply criticizing the senator over his continued support for Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed.

“We know he will fight for the economic interests of working families in Michigan, unlike Mike Rogers, who is a tool of Donald Trump and billionaire donors,” Schumer wrote.

Florida Republican Rep. Randy Fine went further, invoking one of the darkest terms in Jewish history in his criticism of the Senate Democratic leader.

“If there were a modern day Judenrat, Chuck Schumer would be a member,” Fine wrote on X

Breaking ranks, pro-Israel Democrat Haley Stevens backs El-Sayed’s GOP rival in US Senate race

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/breaking-ranks-pro-israel-democrat-haley-stevens-backs-el-sayeds-gop-rival-in-us-senate-race/

Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s former opponent in the US Senate primary, Haley Stevens, stunned party officials Sunday by endorsing Republican Mike Rogers after Democratic tensions boiled over days before the election that could determine the balance of power on Capitol Hill.

Stevens endorsed Rogers after attending a Detroit church service with him. The remarkable show of support for the US President Donald Trump-backed candidate in the tightly contested race comes after she was uninvited to a joint event the same day with El-Sayed, who defeated the congresswoman by a slim margin in the August primary.

Stevens is a staunch supporter of Israel and had been critical of El-Sayed’s comments surrounding the Jewish state. But she had recently reaffirmed that she would vote for the former public health official, who would be the country’s first Muslim senator if elected Tuesday.

After the church service north of Detroit, where Stevens and fiancé Jason Turkish worshiped with Rogers and his wife, Kristi, the congresswoman told reporters: “I’m not turning my back on Democrats. It is this one vote.”

Morality Independent of Torah?

 Bereishis (18:25) Be it far from you to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked; and that the righteous should be as the wicked, be it far from you; Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

Eruvin (100b): Even if the Torah hadn't been given it would be possible to learn proper conduct from observing animals.  Modesty from the cat, avoidance of theft from ants, avoidance of adultery from the dove and sexual conduct from the rooster.

Rabbeinu Nissim Gaon (Introduction to Talmud): The reason that there is punishment for activities not specifically commanded is because all those Mitzvos which are derived from commonsense are obligated on everyone from the day that G-d first created Adom HaRishon. Not only him but also all his descendants afterwards for all generations.

 Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:17): A person is rewarded for any good deed and punished for sin - even though these activities were not commanded by a prophet. This is because a person is held accountable for those things which are dictated by commonsense.

Ramban (Bereishis 6:13): The generation of the flood was punished for theft because it was an obvious sin. Our Sages (Sanhedrin 108a) say that this sin sealed their fate. That is because it was commonsense that it was a sin, there was no need for a prophets to warn them. Furthermore it was evil to both heaven and man.

Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky (Emes L’Yaakov): According to the Halacha, Avraham was not obligated to risk his life to save his nephew Lot…. Avraham risked his life because the Patriarchs were yeshorim . That means that their actions were not governed only by the strict letter of Torah law - but by straight thinking. G d made man inherently yashar . According to uprightness, there was an obligation to try and save Lot… Avraham felt responsible for Lot’s welfare because Lot’s father had died in a furnace because of his belief in the G d of Avraham. Therefore, according to uprightness (menshlikeit) Avraham had to organize his men and pursue after Lot’s captors. In truth the lives of the Patriarchs - which was before the giving of the Torah - was based on the attribute uprightness. This is the meaning of the expression  that derech eretz (civility) preceded the Torah… Therefore, this civility and menshlikeit can be expected even from non Jews. Even though they weren’t given all the mitzvos, but everyone can live in accordance with the inherent uprightness - if he wants.

Toras Avraham (Toras HaSeichel HaEnushi #2): … Intellect (seichel) which characterizes man is not simply a means of knowing and understanding data. In fact the intellect is a moral faculty to know what is truly straight. G d created man with this faculty in order to teach him the path of life. Therefore it is obligatory for man to use it to know what is right and wrong and not to distort his straightness and wholesomeness. It enables him to be a moral judge to understand things in full. Thus man is obligated to keep things which he knows are right - as well as that which he has been commanded directly by G d. Both obligation serve to direct him properly…

Haley Stevens endorses GOP’s Mike Rogers in Michigan as Democrats fume

 https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6186882-stevens-rogers-church-michigan/

Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) on Sunday endorsed former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) to serve in the Senate over Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who defeated her in a bitter primary battle over the summer.

Anger over Israel and the Gaza war was at the heart of the Stevens-El-Sayed primary fight, their subsequent feud and Stevens’s decision to endorse a Republican.

Democrat Haley Stevens endorses Michigan GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/11/01/democrat-haley-stevens-praises-michigan-gop-senate-candidate-mike-rogers/

The endorsement by Stevens, who recently clashed with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed over an ad, marked a stunning turn. She previously said she wanted a Democratic victory in the Senate race.

Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Michigan) endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers in Detroit on Sunday, following days of tensions with the Democratic nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, who defeated her in the primary.

Stevens made the announcement in a video posted to X, in which she said El-Sayed said she was no longer welcome in his campaign.

“He’s right, and that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers,” Stevens said, adding a criticism of the political commentator Hasan Piker, who campaigned with El-Sayed during the primary.

“What our students see, what our children see and who we are as Michiganders is not hate and is not what we are getting out from our Democratic nominee right now,” Stevens said.

Rift between El-Sayed and pro-Israel Democratic primary rival puts Michigan Jews on edge

 https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-913420

An 11th-hour public feud between Michigan Democratic US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and his pro-Israel former primary rival is further exacerbating tensions between Jewish voters and the nominee ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections.

US Rep. Haley Stevens, who narrowly lost the race for the Democratic nomination to El-Sayed this summer, had previously endorsed her former competitor and was set to join him at a rally Sunday in the crucial final days of campaigning. Michigan is locked in a tight race that could help determine which party controls the Senate.

Instead of a show of unity, Stevens is now forcefully criticizing El-Sayed for his recent criticism of Israel and for not condemning a PAC ad, made by an outside group to boost his campaign, that blamed Israel for rising grocery prices. El-Sayed has shot back, invoking Stevens’ close relationship with the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC.