Invoke Blessings with 'G‑d of Meir, Answer Me': A Jewish Tradition

Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes was a distinguished Tanna, a revered Jewish sage and scholar. He was a devoted student of Rabbi Akiva and one of the five sages ordained by Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava.

A well-known practice, observed for generations, involves donating money to charity or lighting a candle while reciting three times, “G-d of Meir, Answer Me.” This is a plea to Hashem, the G-d of Rabbi Meir, asking that our prayers be answered in his merit.

The traditional prayer text is as follows, though personal requests may be added:

“I am giving to charity in memory of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes, in the hope that Hashem will, in the merit of Rabbi Meir, fulfill my requests.”

“G-d of Meir, Answer Me” (repeated three times).

I call upon the Almighty G-d who acts on my behalf. Be gracious to me, Hashem, for I call upon You all day. Help us, G-d of our salvation, for the sake of Your glorious Name; rescue us and forgive our sins for Your Name’s sake. Act for the sake of Your Name, for the sake of Your right hand, for Your Torah, and for Your holiness. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing before You, Hashem, my Rock and my Redeemer.

הריני נותן לצדקה לעילוי נשמתו של רבי מאיר בעל הנס כדי שהקדוש ברוך הוא בזכות רבי מאיר בעל הנס (יפרט כל בקשה שהיא).
אלקא דמאיר ענני, אלקא דמאיר ענני, אלקא דמאיר ענני.

אקרא לאלוקים עליון לקל גומר עלי. חנני ה' כי אליך אקרא כל היום. עזרנו אלוקי ישענו על דבר כבוד שמך והצילנו וכפר על חטאתינו למען שמך. עשה למען שמך, עשה למען ימינך, עשה למען תורתך, עשה למען קדושתך. יהיו לרצון אמרי פי והגיון לבי לפניך ה' צורי וגואלי. 

לשם יחוד קודשא בריך הוא ושכינתיה בדחילו ורחימו לייחד שם וכו' בשם כל ישראל. אלקא דמאיר ענני, אלקא דמאיר ענני, אלקא דמאיר ענני.
הריני נותן לצדקה סך____ לשם נשמת אבותינו אבות העולם אברהם יצחק ויעקב, ולשם נשמת התנא רבי מאיר בעל הנס, יהי רצון מלפניך ה' אלוקינו ואלוקי אבותינו כשם ששמעת את תפלתם ועשית עמהם נסים ונפלאות גלויים ונסתרים, וכשם ששמעת את תפלת עבדך מאיר ועשית עמו נסים ונפלאות כן תהא נא שעת רחמים ועת רצון מלפניך לעשות עמדי (פלוני בן פלונית) נסים ונפלאות גלויים ונסתרים, ותשמע תפלת עבדך ביום הזה (כאן יפרט בקשתו המיוחדת) ותתן אותי ואת כל בני ביתי וכל עמך בית ישראל בכל מקום שהם לטובה ולברכה לישועה ולנחמה, לחן ולחסד ולרחמים, ותשלח רפואה שלימה לחולי עמך (ובפרט לחולה __________) ותזמין לנו פרנסתינו מידך המלאה הפתוחה הקדושה והרחבה, ותצילנו מכל צרה וצוקה, ותוציאנו מאפילה לאורה, וימלאו כל משאלות לבנו לטובה, מעתה ועד עולם אמן סלה. 

Here are ten insights into the greatness of Rabbi Meir and this powerful practice:

1. According to the book Tabur HaAretz, Rabbi Meir was called “Baal HaNes” (Master of Miracles) because his righteousness was so great that miracles and wonders were performed in his merit, giving rise to the custom of saying “G-d of Meir, Answer Me.”

2. The Ben Ish Chai notes the significance of lighting a candle in honor of Rabbi Meir on the 1st of Tevet. The Chida records that when someone, Heaven forbid, experiences hardship or loss, many donate oil or money at Rabbi Meir’s grave and recite “G-d of Meir, Answer Me,” trusting in divine salvation.

3. Why was he called “Baal HaNes”? As described in Avodah Zarah, a miracle occurred when Rabbi Meir’s sister-in-law, who had been imprisoned, was saved. Rabbi Meir bribed a guard with dinars and instructed him that if he were questioned, he should say, “G-d of Meir, Answer Me.” The guard did so and was saved.

4. When the emperor learned that the guard had freed Rabbi Meir’s sister-in-law, he ordered him to be hanged. Yet, when the guard cried out, “G-d of Meir, Answer Me,” he was miraculously spared. Astonished, the emperor demanded an explanation, and the guard recounted the entire story.

5. The Talmud reveals that Rabbi Meir was also known as Rabbi Nehorai, reflecting his illuminating wisdom in Halacha. He is deeply connected to the Torah’s teachings, as all anonymous Mishnah rulings are attributed to him.

6. According to Sefer Yuchasin, Rabbi Meir was a descendant of the Roman emperor Nero, who converted to Judaism. Rabbi Meir himself became a towering luminary of the Jewish faith.

7. Among his many virtues, Rabbi Meir’s humility stood out profoundly. Rabbi Yose ben Chalafta described him as a great and humble holy man. Rabbi Meir himself stated, as recorded in Shabbat, “I never allowed pride to lead me to oppose the opinions of my colleagues.”

8. The Jerusalem Talmud recounts a remarkable story of Rabbi Meir’s humility, in which he allowed a woman to symbolically spit in his eye in order to restore peace between her and her husband, demonstrating his willingness to forgo personal dignity for the sake of harmony.

9. Rabbi Meir’s teachings in the Mishnah emphasize devotion to Torah and humble conduct, promising immeasurable reward.

10. The account of Rabbi Meir and his wife, Bruriah, and how they faced the tragic loss of their sons with faith and strength, stands as a powerful testament to their shared courage and righteousness.

Rabbi Yitzchak Batzri recounts a moving story illustrating Rabbi Meir’s dedication and transformative impact, further highlighting the power of invoking, “G-d of Meir, Answer Me.”