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October 7 marked the day Hamas unleashed a wave of unspeakable brutality across southern Israel. In this must-watch video, Douglas Murray, author of On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization, joins Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch, LMFT—therapist and author of Viktor Frankl and the Psychology of the Soul—on The Viktor Frankl Podcast to dissect both the ideology driving such horrors and the extraordinary resilience of the survivors. Watch the video now at www.torahpsychology.org The Face of Unfathomable Evil That morning’s assault was not a mere outbreak of violence; it was a deliberate celebration of death. Rape, torture, kidnapping, and slaughter were carried out with sadistic delight. Murray observes that this “extra layer of evil” transcends the physical atrocities, revealing a death-worshipping impulse at the core of Hamas’s self-described mission. This is why, he insists, we must confront their actions not only as acts of terror but as expressions of a modern “death cult”—a movement that exalts killing as sacred purpose. Filling the Existential Void Drawing on Viktor Frankl’s insight into the “existential vacuum”—the spiritual emptiness that can seize those without meaning—Murray warns that nihilism can be a gateway to the worst ideologies. In the video, he and Rabbi Schonbuch reflect on how young people at elite institutions, adrift in purposelessness, sometimes gravitate toward fanaticism. When identity and belonging come at the price of human life, “the darkest parts of the human psyche” are empowered, preying on unmet longings for meaning. Yet October 7 also illuminated the highest expressions of self-sacrifice. Murray recounts Gil’s story: a father who threw himself on a grenade to save his ten- and twelve-year-old sons. In footage Murray describes as emblematic, a terrorist calmly opens the family’s refrigerator afterward to help himself to a soda—underscoring the chilling proximity of life-affirming heroism and unrepentant brutality.  Equally haunting is the example of a young man at the Nova music festival, who, despite volleys of gunfire, drove strangers to safety in repeated trips—each return a testament to choice: life over death. These acts echo a core Frankl principle: those who believe in a future meaning are more likely to endure unimaginable hardship.Watch the video now at www.torahpsychology.org Decoding the “Death Cult” Mindset What psychology sustains an ideology that glorifies mass murder? Murray delves into the millenarian fanaticism of Hamas, noting its conviction that “blood and death have the ability to cleanse.” He traces parallels to other death cults—Nazism foremost among them—where genocide was seen as the ultimate solution to societal ills. Murray also invokes Russian writer Vasily Grossman’s maxim: “Tell me what you accuse the Jews of, and I’ll tell you what you’re guilty of.” By this logic, each charge leveled at Israel—colonialism, genocide, white supremacy—reflects the accuser’s own crimes. Turkey’s denouncement of “Israeli occupation” echoes its occupation of Cyprus; Iran’s rhetoric masks its regional conquests. The projection runs deep. A Friday Night That Changed Everything Amid the chaos, Murray experienced a moment he describes as life-changing: a Friday night Shabbos dinner. Soldiers had come back from the base, families gathered around the table, and everyone raised a l’chaim—a toast to life—despite ongoing rocket threats. In that simple ritual of blessing wine and sharing gratitude, Murray says he saw democracy’s true strength: a communal embrace of hope that no amount of terror can extinguish. If Hamas’s rallying cry […]

As the Knesset prepares for a crucial vote on dissolution this Wednesday, a high-ranking member of Shas told Arutz Sheva on Monday that the party has no desire to bring down the current coalition.

“No one wants elections, and we’re not eager to bring down the government. If any party stands to be hurt by its fall — it’s Shas,” the insider emphasized.

The official acknowledged the tense political situation, noting, “We are clearly caught in a difficult bind. When [Likud MK] Yuli Edelstein shows zero flexibility on the most critical issue for the haredi public, that’s a problem.”

He continued by criticizing the current dynamics among the chareidi factions. “There’s no way Degel Hatorah and Agudas Yisrael will vote for dissolution because the Draft Law remains unresolved, while Shas serves as the ‘Shabbos goy’ keeping the coalition afloat solely for political gain.”

Despite the political impasse, the official offered a potential path forward. “If Edelstein budges even slightly, it may be possible to present a compromise formula to the rabbis that would delay the dissolution bill. But there’s no doubt that the keys lie in Edelstein’s hands and those of the legal advisors backing him.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu returned to the witness stand on Monday for the third round of cross-examination in the Tel Aviv District Court as part of the proceedings in Case 1000. The questioning was conducted by lead prosecutor Attorney Yonatan Tadmor.

Defense attorney Amit Hadad, representing Netanyahu, asked the court to wrap up the session earlier than expected, requesting that it conclude at 1:45 p.m. He explained the need for the early adjournment by citing “an important diplomatic call.”

In response, Prosecutor Tadmor asked the judges to reschedule the missed time for another session to ensure no time was lost in the ongoing proceedings.

During a recess, a disruption occurred when a demonstrator entered the courtroom and began yelling insults at Netanyahu. The protester shouted, “Loser, zero, take that smile off your face.” Court security quickly removed the individual from the premises.

Addressing the disturbance, Hadad turned to the judicial panel and stated firmly: “Next time that happens, the defense team will leave the courtroom in protest. This is hooliganism and blatancy, verbal violence.”

Later in the session, Tadmor argued that part of the testimony that had been heard in closed session should now be made public.

“I am approaching the chapter where the questions thus far were behind closed doors. The reasoning was invasion of privacy. However, since September 2024, Mr. Packer was interviewed by Australian media in an extensive article, which is public, and there he laid out the difficulties that he is facing in a much broader manner than was brought up here.”

Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman asked Tadmor for clarification on his position: “Is that a request, or are you bringing this to our attention so that we consider it?”

Tadmor answered clearly: “I am requesting. There is no longer justification for closed doors.” The judge instructed him to file a formal motion so the court could deliberate on the matter appropriately.

Case 1000 centers on accusations that Netanyahu improperly received valuable gifts from affluent associates. Authorities began their investigation in 2016, focusing on claims that Netanyahu and his wife Sarah had accepted luxury items from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and his associate, Australian investor James Packer. These included pricey cigars, bottles of champagne, and fine jewelry—items allegedly worth thousands of dollars, far exceeding what Israeli lawmakers are permitted to accept under Knesset ethics rules.

Prosecutors allege that in exchange for these gifts, Netanyahu took actions to benefit Milchan, including efforts related to tax benefits, regulatory matters, and facilitating a U.S. visa. He is facing charges of fraud and breach of trust.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Documents obtained by the IDF during operations in Gaza have revealed significant collaboration between the Qatari government and Hamas, including covert financial support and joint efforts to hinder U.S.-led peace initiatives, Channel 12 News reported on Sunday eveving. The documents outline how Qatari financial aid served as a critical lifeline for Hamas and enabled it to carry out the October 7 massacre. In one letter, Haniyeh informed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar that the Emir of Qatar had pledged to covertly support the group’s armed resistance. “So far, $11 million has been raised by the Emir for the leadership,” the document states. In a 2019 meeting between senior Hamas and Qatari officials, then-Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said that the “Qatari grants are Hamas’s main artery.” The documents also expose attempts by Qatar and Hamas to weaken Egypt’s influence in Gaza while bolstering the roles of Turkey and Iran in regional affairs. Additional intelligence reveals direct meetings between Hamas members and Qatari intelligence officials to coordinate specialized military training in Qatar and Turkey. The documents also disclose that Qatar and Hamas collaborated in efforts to oppose then-President Donald Trump’s “Deal of the Century.” Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani held an emergency meeting with Hamas leaders over the matter, warning that some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, may normalize ties with Israel. Khaled Mashal said: “We must work together to oppose and thwart the Deal of the Century.” Additionally, Hamas made efforts to replace Egypt’s influence over Gaza with Qatar, with Yahya Sinwar asserting that Doha was more aligned with Hamas’s goals. Following Operation Guardian of the Walls in 2021, Sinwar wrote to Haniyeh: “Egypt had been working to contain the escalation, but we pushed them out of the process, leaving them empty-handed. In their place, Qatar stepped in, and we allowed them to shape the outcome of the diplomacy.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)  

Russia unleashed its most extensive drone assault on Ukraine since the war began, with nearly 500 aerial attacks carried out, just one day after American officials had warned that such a large-scale response from Moscow was imminent.

According to the Ukrainian air force, Russian troops launched 479 drones along with 20 missiles during the overnight offensive. The barrage marked a dramatic escalation in Moscow’s military operations.

Ukrainian defense forces intercepted and destroyed all but 19 of the drones and only one missile managed to evade their air defense systems, the air force reported in its statement Monday.

Despite Ukraine’s success in shooting down the majority of the incoming threats, a military airbase located in Dubno—roughly 40 miles from Poland’s border—sustained damage. Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for Ukraine’s air force, confirmed to Reuters that this site had been the principal target of the Russian assault.

In response to the proximity of the strikes, Polish military jets, alongside aircraft from allied nations, were scrambled early Monday morning to secure the airspace of Poland, a NATO member. Poland’s armed forces issued a public statement outlining the precautionary action.

Russia’s Defense Ministry stated Monday that the intense offensive was a direct retaliation for recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian military installations earlier in the month.

“All designated targets” were hit, the ministry declared in its official announcement.

{Matzav.com}

In an incredible moment following the Adirei Hatorah maamad on Sunday night, Harav Ezriel Auerbach shlit”a paid a personal visit to the Zkan Rosh Yeshiva, Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky shlit”a, in a gesture of ahava and kavod that left those present inspired. As Rav Shmuel was preparing to leave the stadium, his son, Rav Sholom shlit”a, approached Rav Ezriel and asked if he would consider accompanying the Rosh Yeshiva home, expressing how uplifting such a visit would be for his father. Without hesitation, Rav Ezriel warmly agreed. The two gedolim returned together, davened Maariv side by side, and Rav Ezriel requested and received a heartfelt bracha from Rav Shmuel. Rav Ezriel is currently visiting the United States for a short trip, having served as the guest speaker at the Adirei Hatorah maamad, where tens of thousands of bnei Torah gathered in a stirring display of kavod haTorah. Rav Shmuel’s presence at the maamad came as a surprise, given his advanced age and ongoing health challenges. Nonetheless, the Rosh Yeshiva made the journey to personally offer chizuk to the tzibbur, embodying the very message of mesirus and ahavas Torah that the maamad celebrated. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

While tens of thousands gathered to celebrate kavod haTorah at the Adirei HaTorah event, a profoundly unique and awe-inspiring maamad for Torah unfolded in a Brooklyn home. This celebration marked the completion and publication of a sefer on Chumash—not an ordinary sefer, but a masterpiece written by Reb Yisroel (Sruly) Schubert, who, despite battling the devastating effects of ALS, typed every word using only his eyes. For the past three years, the Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva, Harav Elya Brudny, has delivered a weekly Thursday night vaad at the Schubert home, rarely missing a session. Following the Rosh Yeshiva’s divrei Torah, Reb Sruly shares his own dvar Torah, painstakingly typing each letter with his eyes in an extraordinary display of mesiras nefesh. Crafting a single paragraph can take hours, yet Reb Sruly’s dedication remains unshakable. Each day, Reb Sruly immerses himself in Torah, learning with chavrusos and studying independently with remarkable hasmadah. He dives into hundreds of seforim, tackles complex sugyos, and records his insights for his weekly vaad. What began as a weekly email titled “Takfu Shel Kohen” (Reb Sruly is a Kohen) has now culminated in a published sefer, a testament to his incredible siyata dishmaya and relentless effort. The event was graced by the presence of Harav Elya Brudny, the Schubert family’s rov, Harav Lipa Geldwerth, and Reb Sruly’s closest friends and family, all united in this Simchas HaTorah. Divrei bracha were delivered by Rav Brudny and Rav Geldwerth, followed by a deeply moving drasha from Reb Sruly himself, pre-typed on his computer and played for the attendees. The room was filled with emotion, and not a dry eye remained as the crowd erupted in song and dance to celebrate this monumental achievement. Reb Sruly’s story is a wellspring of chizuk and inspiration. For anyone feeling overwhelmed or doubting their strength, his example—captured in the attached videos—serves as a powerful reminder of what is possible through unwavering dedication to Torah. Reb Sruly Schubert is nothing short of a living inspiration to all who encounter him. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

California Governor Gavin Newsom escalated an already heated standoff with the Trump administration by directly challenging the president’s immigration enforcement chief, Tom Homan, to detain him over his refusal to crack down on anti-ICE demonstrators in the state.

“Come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy,” Newsom declared in a defiant interview with NBC News on Sunday.

His remarks came shortly after Homan warned that both Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass could be criminally liable for allegedly interfering with federal immigration operations across the city.

“I’ll say it about anybody,” Homan asserted during a weekend interview, as scenes of protest and unrest unfolded in Los Angeles.

“You cross that line, it’s a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien. It’s a felony to impede law enforcement doing their job.”

Amid growing tensions, President Trump announced plans to send 2,000 California National Guard troops to support federal immigration efforts in Los Angeles, where ICE agents have faced off with demonstrators for three consecutive days.

Newsom rejected the move, warning that the deployment would only heighten tensions on the ground. He also accused the Trump administration of weaponizing federal authority for political purposes.

“He’s a tough guy. Why doesn’t he do that? He knows where to find me,” Newsom said in the NBC interview.

“But you know what? Let your hands off 4-year-old girls that are trying to get educated. Let your hands off these poor people. They’re just trying to live their lives, man. Trying to live their lives, paying their taxes. Been here for 10 years. The fear, the horror.”

“The hell are they doing? These guys need to grow up. They need to stop, and we need to push back. And I’m sorry to be so clear, but that kind of bloviating is exhausting. So, Tom, arrest me. Let’s go,” he continued.

Homan, meanwhile, pushed back against the criticism and defended ICE’s recent actions, saying Newsom’s rhetoric undermined public safety.

“We’re arresting bad people. We’re enforcing laws and following up on a serious criminal investigation on cartel financing. So that’s exactly what ICE did. And ICE took a lot of bad people off the street that day,” he said on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.”

“We arrested … gang members, arrested somebody that had an armed robbery conviction. So we made LA safer.”

“The men and women of ICE, the men and women of the border control made LA safer that day, but you’re not hearing any of this. All you hear is a rhetoric about ICE being racist and ICE being Nazis and terrorists — and Gov. Newsom feeds that,” Homan added.

In a countermove, Newsom announced plans to take legal action against the federal government over the troop deployment.

“They had to coordinate with the governor of the state,” he said.

“They never coordinated with the governor of the state.”

“This is about authoritarian tendencies. This is about command and control. This is about power. This is about ego,” Newsom concluded.

{Matzav.com}

Lebanese media reports an Israeli drone strike on a car in Nmairiyeh, about 20 km from the Israeli border. The IDF has yet to comment on the air strike.

Rep. Maxine Waters claims that there has “been no violence” in Los Angeles after a night where America witnessed cars burning in the streets and assaults on law enforcement.

House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a stark warning on Sunday, cautioning that a Democratic takeover of the House in 2026 could lead to an immediate push to impeach President Donald Trump. Johnson shared his concerns during an appearance on ABC’s This Week, emphasizing that preserving a Republican majority is essential for advancing Trump’s agenda, according to a report from Breitbart.

“If the Democrats took over control of the House, I guarantee you that they would try to impeach President Trump in the first week of that new Congress in January ’27,” Johnson stated. “And that would be a disaster for the country, for our public policy, for the economy, and everything else.”

During the interview, host Jonathan Karl brought up Elon Musk’s recent political commentary and his reported openness to backing primary challenges against sitting Republicans. Johnson pivoted to defend both the GOP and Trump, portraying their platform as one aligned with Musk’s broader economic goals.

“I think Elon knows, at the end of the day, the reason he got involved to help President Trump win and to help Republicans win the majority in the House and the Senate is because he understands that our policies are better for human flourishing, they’re better for the U.S. economy, they’re better for everything that he’s involved in with his innovation and job creation and entrepreneurship,” Johnson said.

He continued, “The other team’s policies are not good for those things. And he knows that at the end of the day.”

Johnson concluded by reinforcing the urgency of maintaining Republican control through the next election cycle. “And I think when the emotion settles down, I think he’ll recognize we have no choice. We have to hold the House majority in the 2026 mid-term election, and we will because we’ve got to allow President Trump four full years, not just two,” he added.

These remarks come as tensions between Trump and Musk have reportedly cooled following a recent dispute that played out online. Two sources within the White House, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Politico that both Trump and Musk are now seeking to deescalate after the dustup, which began when Musk floated the idea of impeachment. Trump had allegedly threatened to pull federal contracts from Musk’s companies in response.

“He’s stopped posting, but that doesn’t mean he’s happy,” one official remarked regarding Trump’s silence on Truth Social regarding Musk.

Another White House insider commented, “The future of their relationship is totally uncertain.” Both officials indicated that while neither side wants to escalate the disagreement further, the personal rapport between the two remains tense.

Although the public quarrel has quieted, the political implications continue to build as both figures navigate a high-stakes election cycle and strained political alliances.

WATCH:

{Matzzav.com}

During recent operations of the Paratroopers Brigade and Yahalom combat engineering unit in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, the military says it located and demolished a kilometer-and-a-half-long tunnel.

Crews are installing root fences around the White House in preparation for this weekend’s massive 250th Army Anniversary parade in DC.

A major wildfire in Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem is being fought by 35 fire crews, 8 planes, and a helicopter across Carmit Road, Ein Kerem Spring, and the Swedish Village, which is currently under evacuation.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom was “too weak” to protect Los Angeles as violent rioters attacked federal law enforcement officers during anti-ICE demonstrations over the weekend, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday morning.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev said on Monday that the government is planning to fire Attorney General Gali Baharav-Mirara even if the Supreme Court rules that it is “illegal.” Speaking in an interview with Ynet, Regev responded to a question about the government’s approval of a new procedure to fire the Attorney General: “Isn’t establishing a committee now changing the rules of the game?” Ynet asked “Not at all,” Regev responded. “The government that approved the committee can also be the government that cancels the committee.”

The Gerrer Rebbe wrote a letter in a Sefer Torah which was competed by Philanthropist R’ Shloime Werdiger at his home in Flatbush on Sunday night. The Sefer Torah was written by the Chush Organization in honor of Mr. Werdiger. The Gerrer Rebbe is in NY on a massive fundraising mission for the Gerrer Mosdos in Eretz Yisroel.

WATCH: ABC News wants you to know what is happening in California isn’t a violent riot. It’s “just a bunch of people having fun watching cars burn.”

TOM HOMAN: “God bless President Trump for sending in the National Guard. The National Guard is here to protect property, protect life, protect our officers, and protect civilians. This city is burning. It’s out of control because of the weak leadership of the Democrats.”

ABC News has suspended correspondent Terry Moran for calling Trump administration deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller a “world class hater” in a since-deleted social media post. Moran’s post was swiftly condemned by officials in the Republican administration, including Vice President J.D. Vance. ABC News, in a statement, said it “stands for objectivity and impartiality in its news coverage and does not condone subjective personal attacks on others.” The New York-based network said Moran was suspended pending further evaluation. Moran, who interviewed President Donald Trump a few weeks ago, said in his post on X at 12:06 a.m. on Sunday that the president was a world-class hater, too. But he wrote that for the president, his hatred is a means to an end, “and that end is his own glorification.” For Miller, Moran’s post said, “his hatreds are his spiritual nourishment. He eats his hate.” Vance, on X, said that Moran’s post was “dripping with hatred.” The vice president wrote: “Remember that every time you watch ABC’s coverage of the Trump administration.” Miller, on X, said Moran’s “full public meltdown” exposed the corporate press. “For decades, the privileged anchor and reporters narrating and gatekeeping our society have been radicals adopting a journalist’s pose. Terry pulled off his mask.” (AP)