Highlighting: “Rebbi Meir Baal Haness and the Eternal Children of Hashem” by Rabbi Daniel Glatstein. Mesorah Publications Ltd. 2023. English. Hardcover. 380 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1422639573.
(Courtesy of Artscroll) Rabbi Glatstein, the release of your new book, all about Hashem’s love for klal Yisrael, comes at a time of great hester panim. Please tell us about Rebbi Meir and how much love Hashem has for us.
RDG: I’m moved to see the hashgacha of the timing. I wanted a Chanukah release because traditionally many associate Rebbi Meir with Chanukah. The tefillah he’s renowned for, Elaka D’Meir Aneini, is a specific reference to Chanukah: Hashem, who illuminated our lives on Chanukah, should answer us. Little did I know that the essential message of this book—that we are forever Hashem’s children—would be so timely. Now, more than ever, we have to appreciate that Hashem’s love for us has never wavered.
How can we bring Rebbi Meir’s optimistic and loving worldview into our own lives?
RDG: The ultimate defense of the Jewish people is: Look, at the end of the day, we’re Hashem’s children. It was Rebbi Meir who insisted that we are His beloved children, even when we are behaving badly. He was the outstanding advocate for klal Yisrael. We have to develop the habit of talking to Hakadosh Baruch Hu, advocating for the Jewish people, asking for rachamim because we are His children. Whatever shortcomings we have, Hashem, You are our Father. These conversations that we have with Hashem, predicated on Rebbi Meir’s worldview that we are always children of Hashem, is powerful and effective.
There is a fascinating chapter about Rebbi Meir and the mitzvah of tzitzis. In light of the astonishing demand for tzitzis among Israeli soldiers, can you briefly talk about their symbolism and importance?
RDG: The sefer has a whole chapter dedicated to this subject. The Ben Ish Chai teaches that the two tzitzis in the front represent when we’re headed in the right direction. The two tzitzis in the back reflect the times when we’re headed in the wrong direction. But it’s one entity, demonstrating that “bein kach ubein kach kruim banim”—irrespective of our actions, we are the children of Hashem. The total number of knots and strings equals 52, the gematria of “ben.” Rebbi Meir discusses the mitzvah of tzitzis in the Gemara, and they reflect this worldview. What could be a greater merit for our soldiers in battle than their tzitzis waving in the wind, declaring “Hashem, have rachamim on us because, as Rebbi Meir insisted, we are Hashem’s children, always and forever.”
Hashem’s love for our nation, and for each individual Jew, is beyond comprehension. Yet there was one sublime soul who helped uncover a layer of this mystery—Rebbi Meir Baal Haness.
In this groundbreaking work, Rabbi Daniel Glatstein brings you into Rebbi Meir’s world, a place where the eternally loving embrace of Hashem to His people is tangible. You will discover the power of the words “Elaka D’Meir Aneini,” and its connection to the mitzvah of tzedakah. You will learn how Rebbi Meir’s worldview is the very foundation of Torah.
Rav and mara d’asra of Kehilas Tiferes Mordechai and founder of Machon Maggid Harakiah in Cedarhurst, New York, Rabbi Glatstein is one of the Jewish world’s most popular speakers and respected maggidei shiur. His more than 10,000 recorded shiurim have garnered literally millions of views. This landmark work will uplift your heart even in the most trying times.
