Who Is the Mysterious Rabbi Known as 'Orchotecha Lamdeni'?

In our media-driven generation, this seems almost impossible, but it turns out that nothing can stand in the way of determination: thus, a Torah scholar whose books and responses are known throughout the Jewish world has managed to keep his identity hidden for many years.

In an article published last weekend by Dvir Amar in the 'B'Sheva' newspaper, the writer sought to uncover the identity of the rabbi known to the students only as 'Orchotecha Lamdeni'. Hundreds send him questions via email and receive detailed answers, and even the late, revered Rabbi Ovadia Yosef cited him in his writings. "He is an immense Torah scholar. Maran my father even asked me once: 'Who is this Orchotecha Lamdeni?'" says the Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef.

In conversations held with several rabbis who have maintained contact with this rabbi, Dvir confirmed one detail, conveyed to him by Rabbi Eitam Henkin hy"d a few months before he was murdered in a terrorist attack: the scholar resides in London. Another detail can be learned from his responses: he is of Sephardic descent.

When the writer approached the Jerusalem family distributing the rabbi’s books and acquainted with him, the family matriarch explained that she could not provide details that would reveal the rabbi's identity, but she could relay the question troubling the writer: Why does he guard his anonymity so zealously?

And this was the response of 'Orchotecha Lamdeni': "The reason is that I want to engage in Torah study without interruption," wrote 'Orchotecha Lamdeni'. "I have seen rabbis whose phones never stop ringing with questions and communal needs, and many people come to their homes to consult them for all sorts of needs, requiring them to attend all the celebrations of their community or students day in and day out. I found it difficult for them to study Torah. True, they help many people and do a great kindness, but where is Torah? Therefore, I told myself that all this can be done by others, and I chose to study without interruptions. I do not intend to reject anyone who wishes to ask questions, and I have already answered many questions via email, but my intention was to enhance and glorify the Torah by printing the responses in books and distributing them for free to the public. This is my way of working. There is another reason, and that is I do not seek honor nor any benefit from Torah study, and it is already known from the story of Rabbi Tarfon in the Gemara Nedarim, and this is possible through anonymity."