Rabbi Yehuda Samet
Mashgiach Ruchani for Ohr Somayach
Yeshivat Ohr Somayach is celebrating its 44th anniversary this year with a Gala Celebration on June 7th. The Rabbeinu Meir Simcha Legacy Award will be presented to Rabbi and Rebbetzin Samet for their dedication to Yeshivat Ohr Somayach. There can be nothing more fitting to give back to Rabbi Samet, someone who has never asked for or expected it, than a simple “thank you”.
Rabbi Yehuda Samet grew up in Far Rockaway, New York. In 1967, shortly after the Six Day War, he and his wife Yehudis moved to Israel, and after a few years he started teaching and developing as a mashgiach ruchani for ba’alei teshuva at Hartman’s yeshiva. In 1973 he joined the staff at Yeshivat Ohr Somayach, where he has been ever since.
He describes his job as mashgiach as “being there for the boys when other rabbeim aren’t around.” That means being in the yeshiva in the later part of the afternoon through late evening, on Friday afternoons and during chol hamo’ed and bein hazmanim. Of his position he says, “The excitement never wears out. With every new talmid there’s a new challenge. As for retirement, Rabbi Samet says, “As long as they let me, I’ll stay at my job.”
We hope he stays forever.
