Rebbi Meir Baal Haness was a talmid of Rebbi Akiva, Rebbi Yishmael, and Elisha ben Avuyah. His father was a descendant of the Roman Emperor Nero who had converted to Judaism. There are 335 halachos that are mentioned in the Mishnah with Rebbi Meir's explanations. His wife was the famous wise woman, Beruriah.
In one encounter, when neighboring wicked people disturbed him, she advised him wisely to pray for their teshuva instead of their destruction. Rebbi Meir followed her advice and his prayers were answered (Berachos 10a).
Rebbi Meir was given a title of Baal HaNess (the master of miracles) for the many miracle stories that were told about him. The most famous one is the following. Once Rebbi Meir’s sister-in-law was captured and held by the Romans. Rebbi Meir took a bag of gold coins, disguised as a Roman horseman, and set off to free his sister-in-law. Rebbi Meir approached the guard and offered him the bribe. He explained to the guard that half the money could be used to bribe his supervisors, while the other half was his to keep. When questioned by the worried guard what will happen when the money will run out, Rebbi Meir told him to say "G-d of Meir - answer me!" and that would save him in any situation. To prove his point, Rebbi Meir threw a clump of dirt at the jail watch dogs. The dogs came running towards him. As soon as the dogs came near, Rebbi Meir said "G-d of Meir-answer me!" and the dogs retreated. Convinced by what he had just seen, the guard released Rebbi Meir's sister-in-law. Eventually, the guard was convicted by the Roman government for that act and was sentenced to death. When they attempted to hang him, he uttered: "G-d of Meir-answer me", the rope around his neck tore and he managed to run away.
