The last few weeks, for various reasons, my parents have been temporarily hosting a cat named Mr. Cuddles. He is a house cat who rarely gets out, but recently they have been letting him stretch his legs in the backyard.
A few days ago, Mr. Cuddles left the backyard and disappeared. My mom walked down the block calling for him, but he did not return.
Three days later, still no cat. So my mother decides to say the thing associated with Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes. Just as she finishes saying it, they hear a mewing at the back door. Mr. Cuddles is back!
I don't know that this proves the effectiveness of this segulah, or that it should be permitted even if it does work. And perhaps an appeal to the Mouser Rebbe (or to Mouser Rabbenu) would have also been effective.
Regardless, just thought I'd put this story out there.
parshiot
parshablog
-- email me: joshwaxman@yahoo.com
3 comments:
Isn't the formulation "Eloka d'Meir Aneini?" If so what's wrong? Isn't that an appeals to Hashem without an intermediary? In essence it's short for "Hashem please answer me in the merit of Rabbi Meir." Isn't it?
Be`Ezrat Hashem, tomorrow, a post on this topic.
I certainly see much less wrong with it if one knows and contemplates the meaning of the words, in which case the idea stressed is how it is all in God's hands. I find it more troubling when treated as an incantation. But the connection to Rabbi Meir, who has little to do with finding lost items, is somewhat troubling, together with the repetition three times...
as I said, be`ezrat Hashem, a post for tomorrow.
"I find it more troubling when treated as an incantation."
This objection can be made about any liturgical prayer.
"I don't know that this proves the effectiveness of this segulah"
Of course it doesn't. It is anecdotal and proves nothing, period. Our acceptance of something supernatural as being efficacious (or at least beneficial) must be determined based on weighing the theological evidence...whether we are discussing segulaot (gr?) or more "mainstream" supernatural practices such as prayer.
If there is reason to accept it, then perhaps such anecdotes may be properly seen as chizuk for one's emunah.
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