The Light of Shabbat: Rabbi Grossman’s Book, Allowing Every Reader to Feel the Love of Israel

The name of the book and the short explanation at the bottom of the cover: 'Ideas and Stories on the Weekly Parsha' do not do justice to Rabbi Yitzhak David Grossman’s book. He is the rabbi of Migdal HaEmek and the head of "Migdal Or" institutions, known for his deeds of kindness, esteemed by the entire community, not just those who consider themselves traditional. Rabbi Yitzhak David Grossman has served as the rabbi of Migdal HaEmek since 1970. He gained wide acclaim after founding the 'Migdal Or' educational network, aimed at educating children from underprivileged neighborhoods while providing Torah and general education. In its first year, 18 students were enrolled, but the network has since expanded with branches across the country, educating thousands of children from kindergarten onwards. Alongside this educational endeavor, Rabbi Grossman has worked for years on prisoner rehabilitation and assisting various immigrant communities.

The world of Torah and Rabbi Grossman’s world are interwoven in this book. Just as the Torah is divided into 54 portions read and studied weekly throughout the year—thereby allowing an annual continuous reading of the entire Torah—this book is also divided into 54 sections: 54 weekly Parsha. Each part combines a brief study of the week’s Torah portion with a story from Rabbi Grossman's life, aligning with the teachings of the portion in a way that allows every reader to see the daily connection of the Torah to life.

The radiant personality of the rabbi, evident to anyone who has heard him speak or watched him, is also reflected in the book. Elements from Rabbi Grossman’s life, relating to the people and land of Israel, naturally connect to the weekly portions. The rabbi’s approach, which lovingly embraces every Jew, is the thread that weaves the different parts of the book in a way that allows every reader open to feel the love of Israel.

The language of the book is fluent, and the various weekly portions naturally blend with the different stories Rabbi Grossman shares, touching on his efforts for the community. The rabbi, who respects people’s honor, brings the diverse stories to the readers in a way that warmly connects them to their hearts. He makes sure to mention all those who have helped him over the years in his endeavors: his educators, rabbis, family members, and key figures who gladly assisted him every time he sought their help. In every story he shares with readers, the rabbi is diligent about acknowledging those who were part of his work. This, too, reveals his greatness.

I picked up the book and did not put it down until I had finished it a few hours later. In my humble opinion, every reader will benefit from delving into this book. Alongside engaging with the weekly portions in contexts relevant to our generation, the book lays out the teachings of Rabbi Grossman, a lover of humanity who inspires with his everyday actions and path.