Tzedakah in the Merit of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes

Tzedakah in the Merit of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes

The Kabbalists teach that special power lies in the prayer “Eloka De-Meir Aneini” and in giving tzedakah in honor of a tzadik, because Rabbi Meir was referring not to himself, but to the Kadosh Baruch Hu: “Elokim she-Meir la-Aretz u-le-Darim Aleha be-Rachamim” - meaning “G-d, Who illuminates (meir) the earth and all who dwell upon it with His mercy.” Through the power of these words, they advise us: 1) When a person sets out on a journey, he should set aside some money and say: “When I arrive at such-and-such a place, bli neder, I will donate this amount to charity l'ilui nishmat Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes.” (Kaf HaChaim, 110:24, 27) 2) It is customary to light a candle and give tzedakah l'ilui nishmat Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes. (“Naton Titen,” 10) 3) When the Rebbe “Baal HaAteret Tzvi” - Rabbi Tzvi of Zhidichov was in agony, he instructed that tzedakah be given for the elevation of the soul of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes. He said that Rabbi Meir takes the minority into account: most people die after suffering, while only a minority survive; therefore, he wanted Meir to protect him so that he would merit recovery. He also said in the name of his father that even when a person has many sins, money should be given to charity in honor of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes, who takes the minority into account, and he will protect such people even when they have only minimal merits. (The Tzadik of Munkatch, Divrei Torah 1:9) 4) The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that a pregnant woman should place 18 additional coins into Rabbi Meir's tzedakah box before lighting Shabbat and holiday candles. (Igrot Kodesh 5, p. 327) 5) Ben Ish Chai, of blessed memory, taught that it is customary to light an oil lamp in honor of the soul of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes (zechuto yagen aleinu) on Rosh Chodesh Tevet, and to give tzedakah beforehand. (Hilchot Chanukah 28) 6) It is transmitted in the name of Rabbi Meir Mazuz - Rosh Yeshivah of “Kise Rachamim” - as a segulah for all yeshuot to light a candle every night of Chanukah in honor of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes, giving tzedakah in honor of the tzadik while saying (or, preferably, reciting the entire prayer): “Eloka De-Rabbi Meir Aneini” three times. Then gather all the wicks and keep them. After the holiday, place them in a bag and put them under your pillow for three days - this is a segulah for all yeshuot. (Yeshivat “Kise Rachamim,” Rabbi Meir Mazuz) 6) Rabbi Chaim Palagi of Izmir taught that during Chanukah, especially on Rosh Chodesh Tevet, it is appropriate to give tzedakah in honor of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes and send the collected funds to Torah scholars in Tiberias (where Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes is buried). Whoever does so will see miracles from Ha-Shem - this has been repeatedly verified. (Mo'ed le-Kol Chai 27:76) Rabbeinu Chida (Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai) wrote in his book “Petach Einayim” (“Open Your Eyes”): “It is fitting for the holy people of Israel in every community throughout the world, in the event of any trouble or illness, to pledge to set aside coins at the grave of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes and recite the prayer ‘Eloka De-Meir Aneini,’ and their prayers will be answered.” May the merit of the tzadik protect our people!