Tonight and Tomorrow:
Pesach Sheni and Rabbi Meir's Yahrzeit
Tonight and tomorrow is Pesach Sheni and the day we commemorate Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes's passing. Here are special observances to consider:
- Light a candle (preferably with some olive oil) for Rabbi Meir
- Give 18 shekels/dollars in coins to tzedakah and recite the Tefilah below
- Eat Matzah, preferably saved from Pesach
Pesach Sheni: The Holiday of Second Chances
Pesach Sheni commemorates when those who were ritually impure by choice or by chance, or distant from Jerusalem, requested another opportunity to bring the Pesach offering. H'shem honored their request. Like them, we too can request another chance to improve ourselves, make positive changes, and with H'shem's help, experience personal salvation and witness the redemption for all of Am Yisrael.
The Power of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes
There are numerous reasons behind the custom of giving tzedakah, lighting an oil candle in Rabbi Meir's name, and reciting his special Tefilah.
Rabbi Meir's Torah wisdom surpassed that of all the Torah giants of his generation, who would turn to him to answer their most difficult questions. Yet his greatness extended beyond scholarship - he believed in everyone's potential:
- He never gave up on his teacher Elisha ben Avuya (Acher), even after he abandoned tradition, continuing to learn from him and encouraging his return until Elisha finally did teshuvah on his deathbed
- He tested and saved his sister-in-law after confirming she had maintained her purity despite tremendous challenges
According to the Ben Ish Chai, Rabbi Meir is buried standing upright, symbolizing that, like a tree, he remains "still alive." When we sincerely request his intercession on our behalf, he responds to our prayers.
all those who contributed to these Torah ideas are mentioned on the web page, and I ask Mechilah from all those I left out, including where I found the Tefilah that I have been saying for many years
הרב רפאל אבוחצירא
הרב ראובן גולן שליט"א
הרב מרדכי אליהו
הרב יהונתן סנדרס
הרב יצחק ממן
הרב יוסף חיים ארצי
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