R. Meir of Premishlan was born in the year 5540 (1780) to R. Aharon, who was a talmid of R. Michel of Zlotchov. R. Michel of Zlotchov said regarding their family that ruach hakodesh had not left it from the days of the second Beis Hamikdash. R. Meir became known as a man with “open eyes” and one of the greatest miracle workers of his generation. After hinting to his imminent passing numerous times, he passed away on Shabbos, Chaf-Tes Iyar 5610 (1850), and was buried in Premishlan, Galicia. His teachings were gathered in the seforim Divrei Meir and Or Hame’ir.
(משוש אבות עמ' קפ"ט)
R. Meir was once posed a question on the Rambam by an extremely learned man. R. Meir told the man to come back for an answer the next day, when R. Meir taught him the Rambam in a way that answered the man’s question.
R. Meir explained that he had been in the heavens and asked to be brought to the chamber of the Rambam, who learned the passage with him.
When the Rebbe Rashab was told this story, he affirmed that there is indeed a special “gateway” to learning Torah, which when entered illuminates all that is studied.
(רשימת היומן ע' שנ"ט)
In the course of his travels, Reb Meir of Premishlan once went to daven in a shul that was in a state of dire neglect. As soon as he opened the door, he exclaimed in the words of Yaakov Avinu, “Ma nora hamakon hazeh! Ein zeh ki im beis Elokim! How dreadful is this place! This is no other than the house of Hashem!”
The chassidim who accompanied him assumed that with these words the holy Reb Meir was expressing some profound ruchniusdike insight. Seeing that they had not understood him, he explained, “This place is indeed dreadful; it is dangerous to walk around in here! It must be the house of Hashem, for I see that there is no one responsible for caring about its upkeep – unlike the other homes in this town, which seem to be in proper condition.”
(סיפורי חסידים זוין תורה ע' 1)
Two business partners once asked R. Meir for a bracha for success in an upcoming commercial venture. “Have you written out your partnership contract?” the tzadik asked. They replied in the negative.
Reb Meir wrote the letters Alef, Beis, Gimmel, and Daled on a piece of paper and handed it to them. Seeing their amazement, he explained, “In these four letters, the secret to success is hidden. Each one is an initial: Alef is for emunah (trustworthiness), Beis is for bracha; Gimmel is for gneiva, and Daled is dalus (poverty). If your transactions are trustworthy, they will be blessed; if you cheat, you can expect to become poor.”
(סיפורי חסידים זוין תורה ע' 237)
