Reb Meir of Premishlan zy”a

176th yahrtzeit: 29 IYAR 

BURIED: Premishlan, Ukraine

Reb Meir’l, as he was called, was one of the most hidden and special Rebbes in recent generations. He was known for his endless dedication to giving so much tzedakah — he never left even one penny in his house overnight! He also had amazing ruach hakodesh, and could see things clearly from far away.

When Reb Meir’l was only 12 years old, he already loved giving tzedakah. He would secretly go to the marketplace, collect money, and give it to the poor people in town.

There was a butcher who noticed this boy was not a regular child. He called him over and asked, “Can you tell me which calf is glatt kosher?” Reb Meir’l said, “Yes—if you give me a rubel for the poor people.” The butcher agreed, gave the rubel, and Reb Meir’l told him which calf was kosher.

This became a weekly thing. For each animal, Reb Meir’l would get a rubel for tzedakah.

After some time, the other butchers started wondering why this butcher never had any animals found treif. They followed him and saw him speaking with a young boy and pointing at animals. They went over to Reb Meir’l and asked what was going on.

He answered simply, “He gives me money for poor people, and I tell him which animals are kosher. I can do the same for you if you want!”

And that’s what happened—all the butchers made the same deal. But after a while, people found out, and Reb Meir’l’s father told him to stop. 

In the last years of his life, Reb Meir’l would sit all day in a dark room, on the wooden edge of his bed. People would come and give him shalom and kvitlach from behind a curtain. After he was niftar, they saw deep marks on his body from sitting like that for so long, because he gave himself over completely to help so many Yidden.

I WANNA BE LIKE …

Reb Meir’l

Let’s all try to think how we can help other Yidden. It can be something small, like helping your mother or watching your siblings, but let’s always think: how can I help another Yid today?