Blessing against the Evil Eye
זְכוּת רַבִּי מֵאִיר בַּעַל הַנַס יָּגֵן בַעֳדֵנו שֵׁנַעֲבֹד אָת בּורְאֵנו עֲבוֹדָה שְלֵמָה, עֲבוֹדָה תַמָּה, לְאֹרֵךְ יָמִים וּשְנוֹת חַיִים, וְלא תְאֻנָה אַלַינּו רָעָה וְנֵגַע לֹא יִקְרַב בֵּאֹהֳלֵנּו. ובִזְכות רַבִּי מֵאִיר יִהְיָה כָל זַרְעֵי זֵרַע קֹדֵשׁ, זֵרַע אַנָשִׁים שְׁלֵמִים בְמִדוֹת וּבְדֵעוֹת. אַלֵהָא דְרֵבִּי מֵאִיר עָנֵנִי. בְּשֵם יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְרָאֵל נַעֲשֶה וְנַצְלִיחַ, ויִהִי נֹעַם יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ עָלֵינוּ, וּמַעֲשֵה יָדֵינוּ כּוֹנְנָה עָלֵינוּ, וּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדֵינוּ כּוֹנְנֵהוּ:
Explanation For The blessing
Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes (the miracle maker), known by this name since the eighteenth century, is buried in Tiberias. He is traditionally considered to be the Tannaic Rabbi Meir and his tomb is a popular pilgrimage site. The tomb is attributed to Rabbi Meir due to the Talmudic story of a miracle. He promised the guard who released his sister-in-law from the brothel in which she was held by the Romans, that if he pronounces "God of Meir – answer me!" he will be saved - and the guard was saved!
Many communities have preserved the tradition of saying "God of Meir – answer me!", and some even repeat it during the High Holidays' selichot.
There are many stories about the redeeming virtues of Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes.
Numerous other requests for protection from the Evil Eye may be added to these words: that we may serve Our Lord, be saved from harm, see healthy sons and daughters, etc. Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes will protect us from evil. We complete the blessing by stating, we do not only trust Rabbi Meir, but put our ultimate trust in the God of Israel. We seek help from our sages so that they bestow their wisdom and goodness on us and ask for Rabbi Meir's guidance.
