Rebbe Meir Baal Haness
From Zissil
Warning: You are not logged in.
Your IP address will be recorded in this page's edit history.The edit can be undone.
Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision | Your text | ||
Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
|title = Rabbi Meir Baal Haness | |title = Rabbi Meir Baal Haness | ||
|image = [[File:00000047 back rebbe meir bal hanes.jpg|215px|alt=Kever Rabbi Meir Baal Haness]] | |image = [[File:00000047 back rebbe meir bal hanes.jpg|215px|alt=Kever Rabbi Meir Baal Haness]] | ||
+ | |header1 = Part of Zissil Projects: | ||
+ | |data2 = {{Project Kivrei Tzadikim}} | ||
|header3 = Hebrew: | |header3 = Hebrew: | ||
|data4 = התנא רבי מאיר בעל הנס | |data4 = התנא רבי מאיר בעל הנס | ||
Line 22: | Line 24: | ||
==Rabbi Meir's Name == | ==Rabbi Meir's Name == | ||
− | [[File: | + | [[File:kever-rebbe-meir-corner-ashkanazi-bais-medrash.jpg|thumb|left|Kever Rebbe Meir in the corner of the Ashkanazi Bais Medrash.]] |
Rabbi Meir's true name was Nahori but was nicknamed Meir which means 'to illuminate', since he illuminated the eyes of the Sages with his Halachic teachings. Nahori itself can also refer to illumination, it can also come from the Aramaic term for memory since due to his teachings the Sages would remember the Halochos they had learned. During the time of Rabbi Meir there was another sage named Nahori and it could be that his name was changed to the similar meaning word Meir to differentiate between the two sages. In Aramaic he was also referred to as Misha. | Rabbi Meir's true name was Nahori but was nicknamed Meir which means 'to illuminate', since he illuminated the eyes of the Sages with his Halachic teachings. Nahori itself can also refer to illumination, it can also come from the Aramaic term for memory since due to his teachings the Sages would remember the Halochos they had learned. During the time of Rabbi Meir there was another sage named Nahori and it could be that his name was changed to the similar meaning word Meir to differentiate between the two sages. In Aramaic he was also referred to as Misha. | ||
Line 74: | Line 76: | ||
===Controversy with the Nasi === | ===Controversy with the Nasi === | ||
− | [[File: | + | [[File:pillers-top-kever-rabbi-meir-bal-hanes.jpg|thumb|right|Pillars on the Tomb of Rabbi Meir Bal Haness]] |
Initially the Nasi, Av Bais Din and Chacham all shared an equal status of honor. At one point Rabbi Shimon ben Gamlil decided that in order to establish the authority of the Nasi a differentiation had to be made so its dominance could be recognized. He established a rule that when the Nasi entered the Bais Medrash all must rise and not sit until he gave permission. When the Av Bais Din would enter only two rows of students would rise and when the Chacham would enter only one would stand. | Initially the Nasi, Av Bais Din and Chacham all shared an equal status of honor. At one point Rabbi Shimon ben Gamlil decided that in order to establish the authority of the Nasi a differentiation had to be made so its dominance could be recognized. He established a rule that when the Nasi entered the Bais Medrash all must rise and not sit until he gave permission. When the Av Bais Din would enter only two rows of students would rise and when the Chacham would enter only one would stand. | ||
Line 91: | Line 93: | ||
===Second Exile === | ===Second Exile === | ||
− | After the incident with Bruriah (see below), Rebbe Meir left Eretz Yisroel and went to Asia. One of his closest students, | + | After the incident with Bruriah (see below), Rebbe Meir left Eretz Yisroel and went to Asia. One of his closest students, Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar accompanied him. Occasionally Rabbi Meir would return to Eretz Yisroel and there is a reference of him attending the wedding of Shimon son of Rabbi Yehudah Hanasi. |
===Death of Rabbi Meir === | ===Death of Rabbi Meir === | ||
− | [[File: | + | [[File:kever-rebbe-meir-baal-hanes-ashkanazi-side.jpg|thumb|left|View of Kever Rebbe Meir from the Ashkanazi side.]] |
Rebbe Meir passed away in Asia. Before his death, Rebbe Meir requested that his body should be temporarily buried along the sea shore so the same water touching Eretz Yisroel should lap on his grave. He then instructed that a message be sent to the people of Israel saying their anointed one had died, a reference to his Smicha. He asked that they should move his body and rebury it in Eretz Yisroel in a standing position. His student followed his request and buried him in Tiberias, near the Kinneret. | Rebbe Meir passed away in Asia. Before his death, Rebbe Meir requested that his body should be temporarily buried along the sea shore so the same water touching Eretz Yisroel should lap on his grave. He then instructed that a message be sent to the people of Israel saying their anointed one had died, a reference to his Smicha. He asked that they should move his body and rebury it in Eretz Yisroel in a standing position. His student followed his request and buried him in Tiberias, near the Kinneret. | ||
Line 101: | Line 103: | ||
==Professional Scribe == | ==Professional Scribe == | ||
− | [[File:00000157 sign leading towrds kever rabbi meir bal haness.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Sign leading to the Kever.]] To earn a livelihood, Rabbi Meir worked as a scribe, writing Sefri Toras and Migilos to avoid using his Torah knowledge as a way of earning money. When studying under Rebbe Yishmoel, his teacher warned him about the seriousness of this trade; "My son, be careful with your work since it is a heavenly occupation, if you leave out one letter or add an extra one, it comes out you are destroying the entire universe." | + | [[File:00000157 sign leading towrds kever rabbi meir bal haness.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Sign leading to the Kever.]] To earn a livelihood, Rabbi Meir worked as a scribe, writing Sefri Toras and Migilos to avoid using his Torah knowledge as a way of earning money. When studying under Rebbe Yishmoel, his teacher warned him about the seriousness of this trade; "My son, be careful with your work since it is a heavenly occupation, if you leave out one letter or add an extra one, it comes out you are destroying the entire universe." |
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
Working as a sofer since his youth, Rabbi Meir continued his trade even after becoming a well respected leader. He was a master scribe and knew his work well. When Rebbe Meir traveled to Asia to declare the leap year he could not find a copy of Migilat Ester, since the local Jewish population spoke Greek and only had a version in that language. Rabbi Meir proceeded to write the entire Megilot Ester from memory. He then wrote a copy from his first copy so the second Migilah could Halachicly be used for the actual reading. | Working as a sofer since his youth, Rabbi Meir continued his trade even after becoming a well respected leader. He was a master scribe and knew his work well. When Rebbe Meir traveled to Asia to declare the leap year he could not find a copy of Migilat Ester, since the local Jewish population spoke Greek and only had a version in that language. Rabbi Meir proceeded to write the entire Megilot Ester from memory. He then wrote a copy from his first copy so the second Migilah could Halachicly be used for the actual reading. | ||
Line 139: | Line 139: | ||
There were two men who each Friday would become enticed by the Satan and would quarrel with each other right before it became dark. Rabbi Meir prevented them from fighting for three Fridays, until the two men made peace. Rabbi Meir then heard the Satan exclaim "Woe, take Rebbe Meir out of my home". | There were two men who each Friday would become enticed by the Satan and would quarrel with each other right before it became dark. Rabbi Meir prevented them from fighting for three Fridays, until the two men made peace. Rabbi Meir then heard the Satan exclaim "Woe, take Rebbe Meir out of my home". | ||
− | == | + | ==Teachings of Rabbi Meir == |
[[File:00000346 kever rabbi meir in mountains of tiberius.jpg|thumb|150px|right|In the hills of Tiberius.]]Rebbe Meir is mentioned many times throughout the Mishnah and Talmud. He is mentioned in every single Masechta excluding Rosh Hashana, Chagiga, Tomid, Kinim, and Zovim. In Masechta Kilayim alone, Rabbi Meir is quoted 29 times. All together there are three hundred and thirty five laws throughout the Mishna that are quoted directly from Rebbe Meir. All anonymous Mishnahs are also attributed to Rabbi Meir since Rebbe Yehuda Hanasi created the Mishnah based on the teachings of Rabbi Akiva as they were transmitted through Rabbi Meir. Any time an anonymous student is quoted reciting the teachings of Rabbi Yishmael in front of Rabbi Akiva, it is referring to Rebbe Meir who studied under both of them. It can be assumed that Rabbi Meir was well versed in the mysteries of the [[Kabbalah]], since his teachers were some of the greatest Kabbalists of the generation. | [[File:00000346 kever rabbi meir in mountains of tiberius.jpg|thumb|150px|right|In the hills of Tiberius.]]Rebbe Meir is mentioned many times throughout the Mishnah and Talmud. He is mentioned in every single Masechta excluding Rosh Hashana, Chagiga, Tomid, Kinim, and Zovim. In Masechta Kilayim alone, Rabbi Meir is quoted 29 times. All together there are three hundred and thirty five laws throughout the Mishna that are quoted directly from Rebbe Meir. All anonymous Mishnahs are also attributed to Rabbi Meir since Rebbe Yehuda Hanasi created the Mishnah based on the teachings of Rabbi Akiva as they were transmitted through Rabbi Meir. Any time an anonymous student is quoted reciting the teachings of Rabbi Yishmael in front of Rabbi Akiva, it is referring to Rebbe Meir who studied under both of them. It can be assumed that Rabbi Meir was well versed in the mysteries of the [[Kabbalah]], since his teachers were some of the greatest Kabbalists of the generation. | ||
Rabbi Meir mostly argues with Rabbi Yehuda bar Iloy and Rabbi Yossi although there are numerous other Tanaim he argues with throughout the Mishna. Although Rabbi Meir argued many times on his friends he would act according to their opinion if the Halacha was ruled against him. Rabbi Meir is also quoted many times in Braysos throughout the Talmud. | Rabbi Meir mostly argues with Rabbi Yehuda bar Iloy and Rabbi Yossi although there are numerous other Tanaim he argues with throughout the Mishna. Although Rabbi Meir argued many times on his friends he would act according to their opinion if the Halacha was ruled against him. Rabbi Meir is also quoted many times in Braysos throughout the Talmud. | ||
− | |||
Although most of the Sages of his generation were students of Rabbi Akiva, it was Rabbi Meir that inherited Rabbi Akiva's Torah terminology and his tradition formed the core base of the Mishnah. It is therefore the reason that all anonymous Mishnayos are attributed to him. | Although most of the Sages of his generation were students of Rabbi Akiva, it was Rabbi Meir that inherited Rabbi Akiva's Torah terminology and his tradition formed the core base of the Mishnah. It is therefore the reason that all anonymous Mishnayos are attributed to him. | ||
− | + | Rabbi Meir was able to give many reasoning to purify the impure and to impurify the pure. When students would ask him a question he would often give numerous reasons for both sides to sharpen and test his students. It is for this reason that the Halacha is often ruled against Rabbi Meir, since the Sages could not fully reach the depth of his wisdom and differentiate what his true opinion was. In cases where Rabbi Meir created decrees to strengthen the existing rules the Halacha is often ruled like him. | |
− | + | All his teachings are given in a very short and terse method and Rebbe Meir himself said that a person should always give over teachings to his students in the shortest possible way. | |
− | + | ||
− | + | Rebbe Meir taught that the Jews our considered children of Hashem even at times when they do not act as his children and Hashem has mercy on individuals even if they are not worthy of it. | |
− | + | Rabbi Meir also teaches the depth of Repentance and says that when a person does Teshuva he brings forgiveness for himself and the entire world. | |
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | Rabbi Meir would judge a person by his name, since he believed that symbolizes a persons essence. Once he was traveling with two of the Sages and he avoided being robbed by a wicked innkeeper since he knew to stay away based on his name. | |
− | Rabbi Mair was known for his parables and would split his lectures allotting a third to Halacha, a third to Aggadah and a third to Parables. It was said upon him that he know 300 parables just about foxes. From all these parables we currently know only 3 of them, | + | |
+ | He created Mishnas Rebbe Meir which served as one of the pillars for the final Mishna sealed by Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Rabbi Mair was known for his parables and would split his lectures allotting a third to Halacha, a third to Aggadah and a third to Parables. It was said upon him that he know 300 parables just about foxes. From all these parables we currently know only 3 of them, all on the verse אבות אכלו בוסר ושיני בנים תקהינה. After Rabbi Meir passed away, the era of those that could create parables was over. | ||
==Family == | ==Family == | ||
Line 184: | Line 180: | ||
Rabbi Meir had a second wife, possibly after the death of Bruriah. This wife was a daughter of Zirurz and sister of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Ziruz. | Rabbi Meir had a second wife, possibly after the death of Bruriah. This wife was a daughter of Zirurz and sister of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Ziruz. | ||
− | + | '''Fictional brother named Ki Tov''' | |
− | + | ||
==Companions == | ==Companions == | ||
+ | Rabbi Meir was first a student of Elisha ben Avuyah who eventually became an apostate and was renamed Acher. He also studied a little under Rabban Gamliel. | ||
+ | |||
===Teachers === | ===Teachers === | ||
− | Rebbe Meir studied | + | '''Rebbe Meir also studied partially under Rebbe Yishmoel although his main Torah came from Rebbe Akiva.''' |
+ | |||
+ | Amongst his students was Sumches, who is buried alongside him in Tiberias. | ||
===Student of Acher === | ===Student of Acher === | ||
Line 204: | Line 203: | ||
Due to his studies under Acher, Rabbi Meir's teachings were not quoted by G-D in Heaven. Although it was known that Rabbi Meir's intentions were for the good, G-D refrained from quoting him until Rabbi Meir Rabba bar Shila defended him in front of Eliyaho. It was only when Rabbi Meir Rabba bar Shila declared below saying "Rabbi Meir found a pomegranate, he ate its fruit and threw out its peel", that this position was adopted above and his teachings started being quoted. | Due to his studies under Acher, Rabbi Meir's teachings were not quoted by G-D in Heaven. Although it was known that Rabbi Meir's intentions were for the good, G-D refrained from quoting him until Rabbi Meir Rabba bar Shila defended him in front of Eliyaho. It was only when Rabbi Meir Rabba bar Shila declared below saying "Rabbi Meir found a pomegranate, he ate its fruit and threw out its peel", that this position was adopted above and his teachings started being quoted. | ||
− | '''Allusion of a Pomegranate''' - | + | '''Allusion of a Pomegranate''' - רימון is equivalent to 296, deduct רע which is equivalent to 270 and you are left with 26, the equivalent of the Shem Havaya, the essence of good. |
===Colleagues === | ===Colleagues === | ||
Rabbi Elizer ben Yackov, [[Rabbi Yehuda bar Ilai|Rabbi Yehuda bar Eloy]], Rabbi Shimon bar Yochi, Rabbi Yosi, Rabbi Nechemya, Rabbi Nason, Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel, Rabbi Yossi ben Chalafta, Rabbi Elazer ben Shamua, Esey ben Yehudah, Chanina Ish Ono, Rabbi Chanina ben Antigunus, Rabbi Elazar son of Rabbi Yosi, Rabbi Yochanan Hasandlar, Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel, Rabbi Shimon Shezuri. | Rabbi Elizer ben Yackov, [[Rabbi Yehuda bar Ilai|Rabbi Yehuda bar Eloy]], Rabbi Shimon bar Yochi, Rabbi Yosi, Rabbi Nechemya, Rabbi Nason, Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel, Rabbi Yossi ben Chalafta, Rabbi Elazer ben Shamua, Esey ben Yehudah, Chanina Ish Ono, Rabbi Chanina ben Antigunus, Rabbi Elazar son of Rabbi Yosi, Rabbi Yochanan Hasandlar, Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel, Rabbi Shimon Shezuri. | ||
− | + | ===Students === | |
− | + | Sumches was the main student of Rabbi Meir. His other students included Rebbe Shimon ben Elazar, Rebbe Yehuda Hanasi, Efraim Makshe, Rabbi Dustoey from Cocheva, Rebbe Yehuda ben Shamua, his brotherin-law Rabbi Yehosue ben Ziruz and Rebbe Yehoshua ben Peter. | |
− | ===Students === | + | |
− | Sumches was the main student of Rabbi Meir | + | |
==Tomb of Rebbe Meir Baal Hanes == | ==Tomb of Rebbe Meir Baal Hanes == | ||
Line 222: | Line 219: | ||
The original structure built over the grave of Rabbi Meir was destroyed during an earthquake in 1337 and its exact location was lost. Once a shepherd fell asleep on the ruins as he rested watching his sheep. Rabbi Meir appeared to him in his dream and told him that he was sleeping on his grave. On the following day, he approached the Rabbis of Tiberias and related his dream. They went to the spot and dug, revealing the two stone pillars. Shortly after this the shepherd passed away and everyone knew that it was true. | The original structure built over the grave of Rabbi Meir was destroyed during an earthquake in 1337 and its exact location was lost. Once a shepherd fell asleep on the ruins as he rested watching his sheep. Rabbi Meir appeared to him in his dream and told him that he was sleeping on his grave. On the following day, he approached the Rabbis of Tiberias and related his dream. They went to the spot and dug, revealing the two stone pillars. Shortly after this the shepherd passed away and everyone knew that it was true. | ||
− | + | It was not until 1867 that the tomb was rebuilt. When they were building the building on top of Rabbi Meir's grave they shifted the two large adjacent pillars to rest on the actual grave. It took fifty men to move the first pillar and they were unable to budge the second one. Suddenly and miraculously the second jumped up and rested on top of the first one. There is an eyewitness testimony to this signed by five Rabbis from the city of Tiberias. | |
Kever Rebbe Meir is divided into two parts the Ashkanzi and the Sephardi. Ashkanazi Bais Medrash is run by the Ohr Torah institution who operated a Kollel there since 1900. It was here that [[Rabbi Yisroel Dov Ber Odesser - The Saba|Rabbi Yisroel Odesser]] found the [[The Petek - Letter From Heaven|Petek]] in 1922. On the Sephardi side is the 'Ktones Ohr' building that hosts the Meir Bas Ayin yeshiva first established in 1867. It is currently controlled by the Weinkin family. | Kever Rebbe Meir is divided into two parts the Ashkanzi and the Sephardi. Ashkanazi Bais Medrash is run by the Ohr Torah institution who operated a Kollel there since 1900. It was here that [[Rabbi Yisroel Dov Ber Odesser - The Saba|Rabbi Yisroel Odesser]] found the [[The Petek - Letter From Heaven|Petek]] in 1922. On the Sephardi side is the 'Ktones Ohr' building that hosts the Meir Bas Ayin yeshiva first established in 1867. It is currently controlled by the Weinkin family. | ||
[[File:00000097 stands tomb rabbi meir baal hanes.jpg|thumb|right|Spiritual product stands at Kaver]] | [[File:00000097 stands tomb rabbi meir baal hanes.jpg|thumb|right|Spiritual product stands at Kaver]] | ||
− | Alongside the tomb of Rabbi Meir are the tombs of his student Sumches and according to some opinions also | + | Alongside the tomb of Rabbi Meir are the tombs of his student Sumches and according to some opinions also Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar. |
Rebbe Yosef Chaim of Baghdad recites how during renovation of the Ashkanazi Beis the two pillar stones were removed and they were found to be directly on top of the actual grave of Rabbi Mair. It was during this renovation that the tombs of Sumches and Rabbi Shimon ben Elazer were discovered. | Rebbe Yosef Chaim of Baghdad recites how during renovation of the Ashkanazi Beis the two pillar stones were removed and they were found to be directly on top of the actual grave of Rabbi Mair. It was during this renovation that the tombs of Sumches and Rabbi Shimon ben Elazer were discovered. | ||
Line 234: | Line 231: | ||
===Hillulah of Rebbe Meir === | ===Hillulah of Rebbe Meir === | ||
− | [[File:00001006 men praying by rebbe meir hillula.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Men praying by Hillula.]]Exact date of Rabbi Meir's Yortzite is unknown and is not mentioned in any text. Local Sephardic tradition places his Hillulah on the 14th Iyyar, | + | [[File:00001006 men praying by rebbe meir hillula.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Men praying by Hillula.]]Exact date of Rabbi Meir's Yortzite is unknown and is not mentioned in any text. Local Sephardic tradition places his Hillulah on the 14th Iyyar, Pesach Shani. There are those that want to trace this tradition back to the Chanukas Habayis of the original building that took place on Peasch Shani and was accepted by the masses as an annual celebration in honor of Rabbi Meir. This is the same date that was accepted for the Hillulah of [[Rabbi Yehuda bar Ilai]]. |
There is also a custom brought down to light a candle for Rabbi Meir on the first day of Teves. | There is also a custom brought down to light a candle for Rabbi Meir on the first day of Teves. | ||
Line 256: | Line 253: | ||
==Kollels and Charities == | ==Kollels and Charities == | ||
Prior to Rebbe Meir's death he proclaimed that he would intercede in Heaven for whoever gave Tzedakah in his memory to the poor of Eretz Yisroel. Many charities use Rebbe Meir's promise and reputation as a miracle worker to raise money for their institutions. Most notable is Colel Polen, a Jerusalem based Kollel which has been doing so for over 200 years. Since then this method has been copied by many other institutions and charities. | Prior to Rebbe Meir's death he proclaimed that he would intercede in Heaven for whoever gave Tzedakah in his memory to the poor of Eretz Yisroel. Many charities use Rebbe Meir's promise and reputation as a miracle worker to raise money for their institutions. Most notable is Colel Polen, a Jerusalem based Kollel which has been doing so for over 200 years. Since then this method has been copied by many other institutions and charities. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
{{Kivrei Tzadikim}} | {{Kivrei Tzadikim}} |