Rabbi Meir's Tomb in Tiberia
I want to tell you about one of the greatest sages in Jewish history. The Gemara in tractate Avoda Zara 18 recounts the episode of this great rabbi. His in-laws were caught teaching Torah (which was forbidden at the time) and executed by the Romans. They also imprisoned his sister-in-law. The rabbi gathered a large amount of money to bribe the guard for her release.
The guard initially denied the rabbi’s proposition because he feared being caught by his superiors and punished. The rabbi assured him that if his superiors tried to punish him, he should cry out, "Eloka d'Meir Aneni" (G-d of Meir, answer me!), and the threat would disappear. The guard was skeptical, so the rabbi threw a rock at the vicious jail dogs. As they charged toward him, he cried, "G-d of Meir, answer me!" and
the dogs retreated.
After witnessing this, the guard trusted him and released the girl. When his superiors found out, the guard was taken to be hanged. Just before being executed, the guard cried out, "G-d of Meir, answer me!" Upon hearing this, the executioner stopped, released him, and questioned the guard. The guard
recounted the episode, and the rabbi became a wanted man in Rome, so he escaped to Babylon.
This sage was Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes (the miracle maker). He declared that he would help anyone who helps the poor of Israel. Just before his death, he promised to intercede in heaven
on behalf of anyone in distress who gives charity to the poor for the sake of his neshama (soul).
It is widely known that on Rabbi Meir's yurtzait (death anniversary), people give tzedaka (charity) for the elevation of the rabbi's soul. There are countless stories of people
performing this segulah and experiencing salvations. His yurtzait is Iyar 14th which means from May 21's evening until May 22 before sundown.
Rabbi Shepherd wants to help you fulfill this segulah, not only by facilitating your giving of tzedaka but also by personally making a
kabbalistic prayer for the elevation of Rabbi Meir's soul on your behalf.
