For most of his life R' Yitzchak Kaduri (1894–2006) was known as Yitzchak Korech, Yitzchak the bookbinder, a humble title suggesting nothing of his stature. When someone would bring him a sefer to bind, he would request permission to learn the contents of the sefer while binding the exterior. When he returned the sefer to the owner, often after a month, he would apologize for the delay explaining that he just finished learning it.
A fascinating encounter took place on June 17, 1990 when R' Yitzchak Kaduri visited the 88-year-old Lubavitcher Rebbe. After telling the Rebbe about his project to open a yeshiva for Kabbala, the Lubavitcher Rebbe wished him great success together with the imminent arrival of Moshiach and continued “Then you can influence the entire globe which is appropriate for your name Kaduri which means Globe. Then you will be able to enlighten not only Israel but the entire world.”
In 1998 in a rare display of friendship, King Hussein of Jordan had R' Yitzchak Kaduri, who was 104 at the time, flown to Jordan as his personal guest. The purpose of R' Kaduri’s visit was to daven by the grave of Aharon Hakohen in Petra, Jordan. When R' Kaduri landed in the capital city of Amman, he was chauffeured in a vehicle provided by the King. He then was flown in a helicopter, piloted by King Hussein himself!
