The Segula

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.

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.

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.

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 )