Miracles and Rabi Meir

We’re taught that Chanukah, the Yom Tov that is now ending, contains within it a spiritual light that continues to shine long after the eighth candle goes out. But this same light also seems to be mystically associated with the great Tanna Rabi Meir, whose name means “illuminate.” But what can this connection be? What do Rabi Meir and Chanukah have in common? In his newly published book, Rebbi Meir Baal Haness and the Eternal Children of Hashem, Rabbi Daniel Glatstein reveals the secret, among many others

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It’s a minhag within Klal Yisrael that in times of distress, one should recite the words “Eloka d’Rabi Meir, aneini— G-d of Meir, answer me.” This concept is rooted in a gemara in Avodah Zarah (18a) where Rabi Meir himself uttered this prayer and was saved from being attacked by vicious dogs.

The Maharsha, commenting there, asks a pointed question. We have a principle that G-d does not associate His name with any one individual while he is still alive. For example, the Torah will refer to Hashem as “Elokei Avraham, G-d of Avraham” but only because Avraham has passed away. So long as he is alive, the Torah refrains from such language. That being so, how can Rabi Meir, during his lifetime, refer to Hashem as the “G-d of Rabi Meir”?

The Maharsha offers two answers to the question. The first, is that “Meir” in this context does not refer to Rabi Meir as a personality. Rather, it refers to Hashem Himself, Who is meir; He illuminates and provides light to the whole world and all of its inhabitants.

The Maharsha then provides a second answer. The term “Meir” refers to Hashem Himself; however, the light being alluded to is a very specific one. It is referring to the Chanukah story, when Hashem illuminated Klal Yisrael with a great miracle.

This second answer of the Maharsha is difficult to understand. The Jewish People are no strangers to miracles; we have experienced many Divine salvations throughout our history. Why then, when in need of a personal yeshuah, should one evoke the miracle of Chanukah in particular? Additionally, if the reference to “Meir” in this context refers to Hashem, and not Rabi Meir, then why is it Rabi Meir who establishes this prayer?