Donald Trump Throws Last-Ditch Israel Hail Mary to MAGA Skeptics

 https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-israel-aid-maga-midterms-el-sayed-12656252

President Donald Trump's Election Day pledge to end nearly $4 billion in annual aid to Israel looks like a last-minute attempt to neutralize an issue that threatens to cost Republicans votes, including among MAGA conservatives increasingly skeptical of American spending overseas.

Trump made the political calculation explicit in remarks to Fox News' Fox & Friends on Tuesday, singling out Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who has campaigned against American military funding for Israel.

His remarks suggest that the announcement is driven at least partly by electoral concerns. Trump is openly acknowledging that continued funding for Israel gives Democrats a potent argument against Republicans, while his proposed cutoff could also appeal to America First conservatives who question why Washington spends billions overseas.

Trump suggests ending US aid will refute criticism that Israel gets more than any other country

https://www.bhol.co.il/news/1743140

 Explaining his support for ending military aid to Israel, US President Donald Trump suggests he doesn’t want to give ammunition to critics who knock Washington for giving more to the Jewish state than any other country.

“Why should we suffer the slings from lunatics like an El-Sayed when they don’t need it,” Trump tells Fox News.

“It’s a bad talking point. Because then you’d say, ‘Why don’t we give everyone $4 billion? Israel is our number one. We give them more than anybody else,’” he continues.

Trump insists that Israel doesn’t need the money and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the one who raised the idea — even though the premier has said he proposed ending aid gradually, not ceasing it immediately.

Trump says Israel will stop receiving $4B in US aid by year's end, can still buy weapons

 https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-israel-stop-receiving-4b-us-aid-years-end-can-still-buy-weapons

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that U.S. aid to Israel would end at the close of the year, arguing that the country no longer needs the assistance and can purchase its own weapons.

"We were giving them $4 billion – we are – but it gets cut off at the end of the year," Trump told "Fox & Friends" on Tuesday morning in an Election Day morning announcement.

Trump said the support included "things and money," and described it as military aid, cash or "barter." He said he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had discussed ending the assistance for years, adding that Netanyahu raised the idea.

Trump: US will stop funding to Israel after end of 2026, will 'help Israel if they need it'

 https://www.jpost.com/international/article-913711

On the morning of the US midterm elections, US President Donald Trump made a startling claim in an interview with Fox & Friends: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself initiated a plan to end nearly $4 billion in annual American assistance to Israel.

The hosts repeatedly pressed Trump to clarify whether he meant military aid, cash, or weapons deliveries. The president insisted that the arrangement would end by December, while Israel would remain free to purchase American weapons.

Trump also explained the political calculation behind the move: taking away one of the Democrats’ most effective arguments against Republicans, particularly in Michigan, where Israel has become a central issue in the fiercely contested Senate race. But his announcement raises a major question: What happens to the existing US-Israel military assistance agreement, which runs through 2028?

Trump: Netanyahu and I agreed to stop $4 billion US aid to Israel

 https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/11/03/trump-netanyahu-and-i-agreed-to-stop-4-billion-us-aid-to-israel/

US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News that he had reached an agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end American payments to Israel by the end of the year. According to Trump, the agreement was reached with Israel's consent.

Now, as far as paying Israel, Bibi ‌Netanyahu ⁠and I have made a deal that we give Israel $4 billion a year, and we made a ​deal ​months ago ⁠that we're stopping," Trump said, referring to US aid to Israel, which amounts to approximately $4 billion annually.

Trump explained that Israel no longer needs American assistance to the extent it once did. "They've become a very successful country. They don't need it," he said, adding, "We're not going to pay Israel anymore." At the same time, Trump stressed that the US would continue to support Israel if necessary. "We'll help Israel if they need it," he added.

The president did not provide details of the agreement or clarify whether he was referring to a complete termination of military aid or a different arrangement between the two countries.

Trump says US will cut off $4B in aid to Israel, blames bad ‘talking point’

 https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6191387-trump-netanyahu-end-us-aid/

President Trump said on Tuesday that he has reached a deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that will end U.S. aid to Israel this year. 

Trump said in an interview with “Fox and Friends” that he and Netanyahu made a deal “months ago” for Washington to end its aid to Israel. 

“They’re fine with it,” the president said. “They’ve become a very successful country, They don’t need it, and we won’t be paying anymore.” 

Trump noted that the U.S. would “help” Israel if they need it, noting the Middle Eastern country has been “a great ally.” 

The development would mark a major shift in U.S. foreign policy. Israel is considered one of the largest recipients of U.S. foreign aid, which is authorized by Congress.

Medical Knowledge

 Bechoros (45a): The students of R’ Yishmael once dissected the body of a prostitute who had been condemned to be burnt by the king. When they asked R’ Yishmael how many bones are in the human body he replied that there are 248. They told him that in fact they had examined a human body and found that there were 252 joints & limbs. He said the discrepancy is from the fact he was describing the number for a male and they were describing the number for a female who has four extra.

Cleveland Clinic

     https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/25176-bones

Adults have between 206 and 213 bones. You use all of them each day to sit, stand and move. Your bones protect your internal organs and give your body its shape. Bones can maintain themselves. But health conditions like osteoporosis can make you more likely to break bones or have other complications.

Kaftor v’Ferach (Chapter 44): We see in the Talmud that those scholars who were only expert in secular knowledge were not called rav or rebbe but were referred to by their name only… For example Todus the doctor  or Benyamin the healer or Bar Nosson the healer … However those whose primary wisdom was from the Torah and the other knowledge was secondary were given the title of rabbi such as Rabban Gamliel who knew astronomy  and Rabbi Eliezar HaGadol. We see that Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair and Rabbi Chanina were doctors as well as Rabbi Pinchas  and Rabbi Chanina … The truth is that all that we know of the seven wisdoms, can be found included in the wisdom of the Talmud and its Sages…

Chasam Sofer (Nidah 18a): What are the meanings of the anatomical terms mentioned in this Mishna? After I researched medical books and medical writers as well as scholars and surgical texts, I have concluded that we cannot deny the fact that reality is not as described by Rashi, Tosfos and the drawings of the Maharam of Lublin. We have only what the Rambam wrote in the Mishna Torah and his Commentary to the Mishna - even though the latter has statements which are unclear. However, you will find correct drawings in the book Maaseh Tuviah and Shevili Emuna…. Therefore, I did not bother at all with the commentaries of Rashi and Tosfos in this matter since it is impossible to match them with true reality. You should know this.

Rav Sherira Gaon (Otzair HaGaonim - Gittin 68b page 152): Our Sages were not doctors and what they said is merely a reflection of what was known by the medical experts of their times and therefore there is no mitzva to accept their statements concerning medicine….

Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Shemiras HaGuf v’HaNefesh): Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach was asked why the view of Rav Sherira Gaon and the Rambam’s son - that the medical and scientific knowledge of our Sages was that of their times - should be listed as a minority view? He replied: “At the present I don’t remember whether there was anyone who actually disagreed with their views or even whether anyone has the authority to disagree with them. However, rabbinic authorities typically explain disparities in medical and scientific understanding [between the views of our Sages and contemporary science] as the result of change in nature. They do not utilize at all the reason that medical knowledge has advanced from the time of our Sages. That is why I commented that this view should be classed as a minority view. Especially since concerning the laws of Shabbos, there are rabbinic authorities that permit violating the Shabbos in certain circumstances that our Sages say are medically dangerous despite the fact that contemporary doctors assert there is no danger at all.

Rav Yitzchok Herzog (Assia 5 page 196-197 translation by R’ Dov Frimer): I do not deny that I was almost embarrassed ... by what you wrote ... in such a deprecating manner towards blood tests, from a negative aspect. That is, with regard to the possibility that [a blood test can] clarify that X is not the son of Y. How can there be a question of the credibility of the doctors in a matter which has been clearly accepted by all the masters of medicine throughout the entire world! Our Sages nowhere say that it was a statement handed down to Moses on Sinai that creatures came into existence by spontaneous generation.... Moreover, this is impossible, since it is now as clear as the sun at high noon …. However, they held it to be a fact and built on this assumption, since Aristotle had so asserted and so had been accepted by all the scholars of his time. What vast differences there are between the science of medicine in their day and in ours, and between the contacts that exist between all parts of the world today, in contrast to the state of affairs in ancient times! I remember from my reading of medical literature that there is no doubt whatsoever concerning this matter. Yet in your letter you imply that there are differences of opinion among medical experts. With all due respect, you are completely mistaken. Here is a copy of a letter from the government’s medical-legal expert who is also an observant Jew. The husband has already come to me and asked that the judgment be executed. You do not accept this. We shall give him an extension, and I am arranging the matter here and will notify the parties through you as to when they must come. It is unfortunate that while science is progressively conquering worlds and discovering all sorts of secrets, although it too errs at times, we like ostriches bury our heads in sand. It is imperative that we encourage the ablest students of the yeshivot also to be educated as men of science in each discipline, so that we should not need to turn to others in matters of physiology, chemistry, electricity, etc. concerning things that relate to our sacred Torah. ...

A friend of mine took a gadol to a doctor and reported the following 

Doctor - You need to stop smoking it has been established that it is unhealthy and shortens life

Gadol - Your Data is based on goyim who smoke 7 days a week 24/7 I stop for Shabbos so it is not dangerous

Doctor - But your chest xray looks exactly like that a goy who smokes

The Gadol had high blood pressure and in fact died from a heart attack as the doctor had warned

Bill Weber for NY Senate

 BS"D

Nov. 2, '26

Achai ve'Raiyai,

• NY:  Please encourage everyone you know in Rockland County to VOTE FOR BILL WEBER (R) for NY Senate*, and everyone in NY State to vote against NY Gov. Hochul (D/ pro-LGBTQ) (either by voting for Blakeman (R), or, as a protest vote, by a writing in Carl Gottstein, who's running as a prolife alternative, and is an associate of the Constitution Party).

* see https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/10/levinat11-bill-weber-for-senate.html

• NJ: Please encourage everyone in NJ to vote against Cory Booker (D/ pro-LGBTQ) for US Senate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

• This election in NY State will be seen as a referendum on Assisted "Suicide" - ie., physician-facilitated poisoning of the medically vulnerable - which the NY legislature just passed - and which Gov. Hochul just signed. 

• If we betray State Senator Bill Weber (R) - who voted and campaigned against it - we're sending a terrible message. 

• Now more than ever we NEED EVERY SINGLE ally to stop the Democrats from weakening the already weak "safeguards" in the Assisted-Suicide "law."

Prominent Rabbonim have spoken - see https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2025/05/psak-halacha.html ; or this past week's MonseyMevaser.com, on page 25. We're obliged to do whatever we can to stop the advancement of such deadly legislation.

The previously-issued Psak against all forms of Assisted-"Suicide, states that:

1. It is forbidden to support anyone who helped pass Assisted-"Suicide" into law.

2. We must support candidates running against those who voted or signed it into law.

3. We must demonstrate our hakaras ha'tov to those who voted against this legalized murder.

• Consequently, for the Rockland County Jewish Community in particular, it is therefore assur (prohibited) to vote for Patrick Carroll, or for Kathy Hochul.*

[* see: The Benjamin Franklin Cult: Don't let any cognitive Yid fall for the latest endorsement of pro LGBTQ/pro death Hochul: https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/10/agudas-latest-chillul-hashem.html]

• Furthermore, we encourage voting for their opponents Brett Yagel,  and Bruce Blakeman, and, again,  endorse Senator Bill Weber - who actively fought against Assisted-Suicide.

By doing so, we demonstrate our opposition to murder, save lives, and reduce the Chillul HaShem of the empowerment of proponents of Assisted-"Suicide."

~~~~~~~~  ~~~~~~~~

• Also see this unfiltered Da'as Torah: https://cbnunfiltered.com/rav-shlomo-perlstein-warns-against-voting-for-democrats/

~~~~~~~~  ~~~~~~~~

• STOP WEBER'S DEMOCRATIC OPPONENT - JOE RAND - WHO BRAGGED ABOUT HOW PRO-TO'AIVAH HE IS:

• HE BROKERED A BUILDING - FOR FREE (!) (https://dailyvoice.com/article/rand-sells-nyack-property-to-rockland-county-pride-group/ ) --

- TO GIVE THE TO'AIVA MOB A BASE TO PREY ON & CONVERT VULNERABLE YOUTH - INCLUDING THOSE STRUGGLING FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

A REAL מסית ומדיח!

• דברי "קדש:"

“I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of something our company has done for a worthy non-profit like Rockland County {To'aiva} Pride,” said Rand, managing partner for Rand Commercial.

~~~

••  BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER: ••

"Joe Rand for State Senate

July 1 ·

Congratulations to my friend Senator James Skoufis** on receiving the LGBTQ+ Access to Justice Distinguished Leadership Award..."*

* https://www.facebook.com/joseph.rand/posts/congratulations-to-my-friend-senator-james-skoufis-on-receiving-the-lgbtq-access/1788689575789258/

** Senator Skoufis also shares responsibility for passage of Assisted Suicide legislation, which he supported. Accordingly, KJ has an obligation to unseat him.

~~~

• Also note how Rockland County political operative Mona Montal is connected to Joe Rand: https://randcommercial.com/agent-detail/Mona-Montal/378968/

~~~~~~~~  ~~~~~~~~

For More Information: torahjewsfordecency@gmail.com

Also see: 

https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/10/levinat11-chillul-hashem.html

~~~~~~~~  ~~~~~~~~

••• Let's heed the call of our Gedolim:

• "... to make a Kiddush Hashem to show openly to all the nations that Hashem's nation hates all immorality " - HaGaon R' Moshe Feinstein, ZT"L

~~~

• "Chillul Hashem is measured by what the nations of the world say. ["Why should Mitzrayim say..." (Parshas Ki Sisa)].  What will the nations say when politicians make laws of S'dom, the priests oppose them - yet Jews flatter them for material gain? This gets publicized in the papers, resulting in a big chillul HaShem. 

"The argument that money is needed for Yeshivos is contrary to Chazal (Mesechta Beitzah Daf 16) that the money given for teaching your children Torah is increased to the parents over the allotment of Rosh Hashanah. 

"We have to protest against these politicians even if we will not accomplish anything (for the politicians to change their ways) since at least the world will know that Jews don't agree with their ways. ..."

- Rav Shlomo Zalman Braun, ZT"L -

מחבר ספר שערים מצוינים בהלכה

---------- ‬

• Many Rockland County Rabbonim publicly urge support for Bill Weber,  Blakeman, values-sympathetic Supreme Court candidates, etc.:*

"... Our Values Must Come Before Political Favors ... 

"No grant, funding promise, or financial benefit should outweigh the long-term safety, freedom and future of our community. 

"... We must consider their policies... and the consequences for our children.  Our values are not for sale, and our community's future must never be reduced to a funding decision."  ...

"... We therefore endorse ... Bruce Blakeman ... Bill Weber ..." 

Signatories include the following (this list is not necessarily comprehensive or fully updated) -

1. Rabbi Eliezer Abish — Khal Netzach Shlomo, New City
2. Rabbi Dovid Bartfeld — Khal Mevakshei Hashem, Thiells
3. Rabbi Simcha Bunim Berger — Village Green Shul, Wesley Hills
4. Rabbi Daniel Coren — Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim, Monsey
5. Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Feiner — Khal Cragmere Oval, New City
6. Rabbi Heshy Kahan — Khal Zichron Chanina Getzel, Pomona East
7. Rabbi Ari Levitan — Khal Tiferes Tefillah, Pomona
8. Rabbi Pinchus Elchonon Mandelbaum — Bais Medrash Chancheen, Montebello
9. Rabbi Yakov Yosef Moskowitz — Khal Borov, Forshay
10. Rabbi Zvi Nussbaum — Merkaz Hatorah, Chestnut Ridge
11. Dayan Shlomo Perlstein — Summit Park Shul, New Hempstead
12. Rabbi Yehuda Leib Reidel — Bais Medrash of Haverstraw
13. Rabbi Ari Senter — Kehilas Yesharim, Wesley Hills
14. Rabbi Yosef Simon — Toras Dovid Kollel, Monsey
15. Rabbi Akiva Tendler — Bais Medrash Darchei Meyer, Airmont
16. Rabbi Yisroel Teichman — Kehillas Zichron Yitzchok, New Hempstead
17. Rabbi Yehoshua Weber — Khal Ohr Tzvi, Montebello

*Posted: https://monseyscoop.com/8-prominent-rockland-county-rabbonim-unite-in-joint-kol-korei-endorsing-weber-lawler-and-blakeman-ahead-of-election-day/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please vote for Bill Weber for NY Senate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please share this widely with your family and associates. Not one Jew should be allowed to vote for the enablers of "legalized" murder out of ignorance.  According to our capacity to influence others is our responsibility to do so (see Gemara Shabbos 54b, 55a).

May we merit the Ultimate Redemption in the merit of countering its' impediments.

Also see:  https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/04/growing-authentic-leadership-yahrtzeit.html

Thank you,

Help Rescue Our Children

845.642.1679 (simple text only)

torahjewsfordecency@gmail.com

~~~~~~~

###

Yiddish Bloc-Vote Propaganda Hotline: (712) 637-3444

 בס"ד

November 3, '26

Election '26: Bloc-Vote Propaganda Conference, In Yiddish:

Part 1:

Interviewees:

 Spitzer of Square & COC (Hirsh Horowitz);

(712) 637-3444, 2, 1:

Promoting: Mike Lawler, Joe Rand, & Aron Wieder.

Rand: Can work w/ Dem majority, which.

... following Da'as Torah ...

"יש קונה עולמו בשעה אחת..."

~~~~~~~~~~

Part 2:

(712) 637-3444, 2, 2:

Interviewees:

משה שמואל רוטענבערג, 

דושינסקי

Gov. Hochul: "the best for Jews" in a long time...

Rand: He's a normal businessman; has very erlich people working for him.

One idiotic argument raised against the "Chov Kadosh" idea to vote for certain (pro-morality) candidates: 

A NY Republican is more liberal than a Democrat in some others areas. So if you cannot vote for the Dems for that reason - then you can't vote for the Republicans either.

Another big push was to sell the idea that to avoid taking advantage of the government programs for the Mosdos HaChinuch is to take achrayus for all the children whose Chinuch is in danger.

They were making alot of fun of those insisting on not voting Democratic.

Mentioned:

Shmuel Hartstein visited Albany...

NY child dies of measles, marking state’s first death from the disease in 30 years

 https://nypost.com/2026/11/03/us-news/ny-child-dies-of-measles-marking-states-first-death-from-the-disease-in-30-years/

An unvaccinated child in Lewis County died after contracting measles amid a historic outbreak in the state, the New York State Department of Health and Lewis County Public Health announced on Monday.

The measles death marks the first in the Empire State in over 30 years, and comes just four weeks after Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency in response to a surge in cases of the viral disease.

“Measles is highly contagious, and vaccination remains our best protection against this dangerous disease. This is New York’s first measles-related death in 30 years, a devastating reminder of what’s at stake when Washington deliberately erodes decades of progress in protecting Americans from preventable illnesses,” she added.

Mamdani, Hochul condemn vandalism of Jewish school buses in Brooklyn

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/435561

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul condemn swastikas and antisemitic graffiti on Jewish school buses in Brooklyn, demanding accountability.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday denounced the vandalism of four school buses serving Jewish schools in Brooklyn, after the vehicles were found covered with swastikas and antisemitic graffiti.

"The antisemitic vandalism targeting school buses in South Williamsburg is abhorrent. Every New Yorker - especially our children - deserves to live free of such hatred," Mamdani said in a statement.

"My team is in contact with the NYPD and community leaders. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to confront antisemitism, hold those responsible accountable and ensure that hatred has no place in our city," he added.

Hochul also condemned the incident, emphasizing the impact of antisemitic intimidation on Jewish children and their families.

The Trump era is over

 https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/6185424-democrats-rise-virtuous-leaders/

When the history of the 2026 midterm elections is written, the most remembered political advertisement will be Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s (R) commercial starring the mother of his opponent, Dr. Amy Acton (D).

But this is wrong. Today, the stench of political death has repelled even Trump’s most devoted followers. On the campaign trail, Trump speaks to arenas filled with empty seats. And in the words of Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), those who show up are subjected to two hours of “senile babbling.”

Americans are profoundly dissatisfied with Trump’s performance, including high gas and grocery prices, the killing of innocent citizens on urban streets, the mass deportation of migrants who have raised families in the U.S. and are a vital engine of economic growth and starting a war with Iran. This runs contrary to Trump’s 2024 promises to bring down costs, deport only migrant criminals and never start another foreign war. 

Trump’s closing message hits a topic close to his heart — but not voters’ minds

 https://edition.cnn.com/2026/11/02/politics/trump-reflecting-pool-midterm-message

By the time President Donald Trump had concluded his hourlong closing argument speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday, the water in the basin behind him had become still, a perfect mirror of the Washington Monument and a grey November sky.

Eight minutes in, before any mention of the midterm elections, Trump invited an aide named Greg to stand on stage holding large color photos as he recited in specific terms the fixes he’d ordered up. It took another 16 minutes before he made any mention of the elections he was ostensibly there to address.

The midterm talk only lasted 10 minutes or so on Monday. The rest of the time, Trump focused squarely on a topic that brings him more joy: the various repair jobs he claims to have carried out in the nation’s capital. He joked he would name the Reflecting Pool after himself. The crowd of invited guests numbered in the dozens.

It was an odd way to end a campaign where voters have questioned again and again the president’s priorities. In interviews with voters across battleground states this midterm season, no one mentioned the Reflecting Pool or any other project in Washington on their list of most important issues.

“I Have Felt Politically Homeless”: Michigan Jews Face Senate Dilemma

 https://www.newsweek.com/michigan-jewish-voters-senate-election-el-sayed-rogers-12650079

Michigan's voters face a choice in Tuesday's Senate election between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers, with some lifelong Jewish Democrats considering voting for a candidate whose rhetoric they regard as antisemitic rather than supporting a Republican whose politics they oppose.

For others, concerns about El-Sayed have become serious enough to make them reconsider their longstanding Democratic allegiance. Interviews with Jewish residents and community leaders reveal differing views about how to weigh antisemitism, personal safety, Israel and domestic political priorities, amid a growing sense of alienation from political spaces they once considered home.

Those divisions spilled into the open on Sunday when Democratic Representative Haley Stevens, who narrowly lost the Senate primary to El-Sayed, endorsed Rogers just two days before the election. The extraordinary break followed a dispute over an advertisement linking U.S. support for Israel to grocery prices and Stevens' objections to El-Sayed's response. Her endorsement drew sharp criticism from fellow Democrats, underscoring how disagreements over Israel have strained party unity.

‘Shocking and eye-opening’: Mom who lost young daughter to flu hopes others choose vaccination

 https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-general/shocking-and-eye-opening-mom-who-lost-young-daughter-flu-hopes-others-choose

While Cayden had always received her vaccines, she missed her flu vaccine in 2014 because of that ear infection. At the time, Richman didn’t know how serious flu could be. “I didn’t realize it was super dangerous, so I didn’t urgently reschedule her flu shot,” she said. 

“When I did get the information that it was influenza A that caused pneumonia, I was like, ‘What?’” Richman said. “At the time, I felt like flu was similar to a cold. In no way did I believe that it would take someone’s life, not a small, healthy child. My child had no immune issues. She didn’t have any medical issues.” 

As Richman grappled with the loss of her daughter, she connected with the nonprofit Families Fighting Flu. Being connected to other families whose loved ones grappled with severe flu complications and flu deaths helped her navigate her grief and made her feel less alone. 

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.