THE SUPPORT of
RESETTLING ERETZ YISROEL
in the merit of THE HOLY TANNA,
REB MEIR, WAS CLASSIFIED BY
THESE EMINENT MEKUBALIM
as the ULTIMATE ZECHUS
FOR HIS NESHAMA
WHY REB MEIR
The concept of Reb Meir Baal Haness dates back to the very first settlers of Eretz Yisroel in the 1500's. The great mekubalim (kabbalists) of Sephardic Jewry, among them the holy Bais Yosef and the Alshich, ascribed the merit of the holy Tanna, Reb Meir, exclusively to those who support the resettlement of Eretz Yisroel. The Gemara in Avoda Zara relates a fascinating episode, where the great Tanna (sage of the Mishna), Reb Meir, revealed a secret formula for miraculous salvation. As a reward for someone who had done him a personal favor, Reb Meir shared with him that should he ever be faced by any danger he should recite the words "Elaka D'Meir Anaini" – The G-d of Reb Meir please answer me – and he will miraculously be saved. The Gemara goes on to reveal a series of miraculous events invoked by the recital of "Elaka D'Meir Anaini" – hence the name Reb Meir Baal Haness.
The support of resettling Eretz Yisroel in the merit of the holy Tanna, Reb Meir, was classified by these eminent mekubalim as the ultimate zechus for his neshama, which would earn the contributor the supernatural power of the words "Elaka D'Meir Anaini" as outlined in the Gemara serving as source for yeshua (salvation) in all areas of life, business, family, health or when going through a crisis of any kind.
YESHUOS & MIRACLES
Jews throughout the generations knew and cherished this time-honored, proven segula (merit). Indeed, the ubiquitous little Reb Meir Pushka became a fixture in every Jewish home, in the synagogue and in the place of business. Before prayers, before candle lighting, or before departing on a journey, Jewish mothers and fathers could be seen with their hands over the charity box, reciting a tearful payer for success and blessing.
Thousands upon thousands of miraculous stories and anecdotes have been recorded and handed down from father to son. To this day, the Pushka remains a foremost pillar of Jewish tradition.