(Some say the Yahrzeit is in the year 5591 / 1831 - 193rd Yahrzeit)
Born in תק"כ Rav Meir studied under Rav Yitzchak Avraham Katz, who was the Av Beis Din of Pintshuv and author of Kesser Kehuna.
He settled first in Stavnitz and afterwards in Apta after the Ohev Yisrael departed and moved to Mezhibuz.
His older brother, Rav Mordechai of Stavnitz, influenced him to study Chassidus, and he began to frequent the bais medrash of the Chozeh of Lublin, to study under him and learn the ways of Torah and avodah. The Chozeh testified, “He is a Levi who can be traced back to Levi ben Yaakov!” (Ohel HaRebbi Ohr HaNiflaos 58).
When the Chozeh honored him and his brother to lead the Shabbos zemiros, he declared, “They sing just like the Levi’im in the Bais Hamikdash!” (Pinos HaBayis p.87)
After the Chozeh’s passing, many of his disciples flocked to Rav Meir. He passed away on 25 Tammuz 5587 (1827).
Tefilah Of The Ohr Lashamayim Rav Meir Of Apta 25 Tammuz
** See Appendix Below
The 25th of Tammuz marks the yarzheit of the Ohr LaShamayim. He was a talmid of the Chozeh of Lublin, and was Rav in Apta after the Ohev Yisroel.
The Ohr LaShamayim asked that on the day of his yarzheit, one light a candle and give tzedakah on his behalf. In doing so, one should say his name, Reb Meyer ben Reb Shmuel Halevi zy'a.
In addition, the Krula Rebbe adds in the name of the Tiferes Shlomo, Rebbe Shlomo of Radomsk zy'a, that it is praiseworthy to recite the special tefillah for parnassah composed by the Ohr LaShamayim. A copy of that Tefillah is attached.
