The Segula
The story behind the segula
Lots of people have heard of the famous segula that invoking the name of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness and giving charity to the poor of Israel can save you from a horrible situation or help you find your lost passport or car keys. But most people have lots of questions.
Who was Rabbi Meir Baal Haness?
Rabbi Meir Baal Haness (139-163)lived in the times of the Mishna and was a highly respected fourth generation Tanna (Talmudic scholar) and a leading student of Rabbi Akiva. Interestingly, he was not a scion of Jewish aristocracy, as you might expect. He was actually descended from the Roman General Nero, who reportedly converted after a battle with the Jews. His brilliant wife, Bruriah, was the daughter of Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon, and is one of the few women cited in the Mishna.
Rabbi Meir received his smicha (rabbinical ordination) secretly from Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava, during the peak of Roman persecution. He, together with four others, were entrusted with the vital mission to keep Torah study alive despite the Roman prohibition against it. Rabbi Meir’s name features prominently in the Mishna; he is the third most oft-quoted Tanna. Additionally, any reference in the Mishna where the name of the speaker isn’t noted is attributed to Rabbi Meir by default.
Possessed with a powerful and holy soul, Rabbi Meir was known as a miracle worker both during and after his lifetime. During his lifetime he was known simply as ‘Rabbi Meir,’ but with all the miracle stories circulating, the phrase ‘Baal Haness,’ (Master of Miracles) was added about 400 years ago.
Rabbi Meir Baal Haness was buried in Teberias, in an upright position, as he had instructed. He wanted to be able to greet Moshiach immediately when he arrives, and not to have to arise from his resting place. Two pillars were erected on the site to symbolize his unusual burial, and eventually an ohel, a structure above the site, was built in his honor. Tens of thousands of people pray at his kever (gravesite) each year.
And what’s a segula anyway?
A segula is a powerful remedy that has nothing to do with logic. A segula is rooted in history and spirituality and effects protection and salvation for those that follow it with the right intentions.
When did this segula start?
The story behind the segula has its basis in Mesechtes Avodah Zarah 18a-b of the Talmud.
When Rabbi Meir’s in-laws were found teaching Torah publicly, they were executed and his sister-in-law was taken by the Romans. Determined to win her release, Rabbi Meir took a large bag of golden dinars and approached her warden with the bribe. “Take the dinars, and give her to me!” he demanded. The warden, fully aware of his fate should the escape be discovered, refused. Rabbi Meir then instructed him that if his superiors would try to harm him, he need only cry out, “G-d of Meir, answer me!” and the threat would disappear. The warden was skeptical, so Rabbi Meir proved the efficacy of the segula by throwing a stone at the vicious jail dogs. When the dogs rushed to attack him, Rabbi Meir cried, “G-d of Meir, answer me!” and they retreated meekly. The Roman warden, satisfied that he could rely on the miracle, released the girl. Sure enough, her disappearance was quickly discovered, and the guard was taken to be hanged. At the last moment, he exclaimed, “G-d of Meir, answer me!” The executioner suddenly stopped, took him down from the gallows, and questioned him. When the guard revealed the entire episode, the Romans engraved a likeness of Rabbi Meir on the city gates and hunted him down as a wanted man. Rabbi Meir narrowly escaped, but felt it necessary to run away to Babylon to avoid the Romans.
What exactly is this segula for?
During his lifetime, Rabbi Meir explicitly stated that if anyone would donate money to the poor of Israel for his neshama, he would intercede on their behalf.
This segula is commonly used when:
Times are tough (Source: Chida Download PDF )
Something important is lost (Source: Shevet Mussar Download PDF )
I’d like to try it. What do I do?
Before you do anything, remember that it’s not Rabbi Meir Baal Haness you’re praying to. It’s G-d. You’re only invoking the name of Rabbi Meir because of the great zchusim, or merits, associated with him.
If you’ve lost something important, say:
אמר רבי בנימין, הכל בחזקת סומין, עד שהקדוש ברוך הוא מאיר את עיניהם. מן הכא, "ויפקח אלוקים את עיניה ותרא באר מים, ותלך ותמלא את החמת". ן
אלקא דמאיר ענני, אלקא דמאיר ענני, אלקא דמאיר ענני. ן
בזכות הצדקה שאני נודב לכבוד התנא רבי מאיר בעל הנס, זכותו יגן עלינו, אמצא את אבידתי.ן
To translate:
Rabbi Binyamin said: All are in the presumed status of blind people, until The Holy One, Blessed Be He, enlightens their eyes.
{Bereishit 21:19}, "And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink."
{The concept is that the well was always there, but Hagar did not see it. Only after praying did G-d open her eyes and she saw what was already there.}
Then donate some charity to the poor of Israel. Use your pushka or ours.
Donate
If you’re facing a specific hardship:
Say three times: “Eloka D’Meir Aneini”
Then donate some charity to the poor of Israel. Use your home pushka or ours.
Donate
Prayer for Lost or Stolen Items
Throughout a person’s lifetime he or she may lose or misplace important items. Some of these may never be recovered, but with others, you may just be lucky enough to stumble onto again – whether by accident or on purpose.
The amount of time and dedication you give towards the recovery of lost or stolen items is equivalent to the value of the object in question. Objects that are prized and of value deserve extra efforts in finding them. Amar Reb Binyamin is a prayer dedicated to finding lost or stolen items. People who have said this prayer and made a donation to Rabbi Meir Baal Haness’ charities have seen great success in recovering lost items.
When reciting the prayer for lost and stolen items, you have to do it with intention. Rabbi Meir Baal Haness dedicated himself to klal work and to charity. Thus, Jews who choose to invoke his name in prayer should also follow his lead and donate to charity.
When to use Tefillah for Lost Objects
The tefillah of Amar Reb Binyamin was designated by Rabbi Meir Baal Haness to pray for lost objects. As such, the catchphrase “Amar Reb Binyamin '' was established for use by people from all over the world. This is a short yet powerful prayer that has helped thousands of people recover lost items or objects of value.
Once you have recited the prayer for lost objects, you can make a donation to charity in honor of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness. This generous and charitable act will invoke the zechus of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness and may aid you in finding your missing item.