Master of the World: A Beloved Tune for Prosperity and Success

Tonight and tomorrow (Wednesday), the 25th of Tammuz, marks the 193rd yahrzeit of Rabbi Meir HaLevi of Apta, zt"l, author of the book 'Or LaShamayim.'

Rabbi Meir HaLevi (son of Shmuel) was one of the great students of the Chozeh of Lublin. He served as the rabbi of the city of Apta after the passing of Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apta. Rabbi Meir excelled in profound knowledge of Shas and posekim and was also great in mystical teachings.

Rabbi Meir also composed a prayer centered on strengthening faith in Hashem. This prayer was regularly recited by Rabbi Shlomo Rabinowitz of Radomsk (author of 'Tiferet Shlomo'), who attested that it was a powerful segulah for livelihood and success when recited daily.

Three years ago, in 5775, Avraham Fried released a song, 'Here I Am in Your Hands,' based on words from this prayer: "Master of the World, I knew that I am in Your hands alone, like clay in the potter's hand. And even if I try with counsel and strategies, and all the dwellers of the world stand by my side to help and support me, without Your strength and assistance, there is no help or salvation." Composed by Pinchas Breyer, the song became a hit among many audiences.

Here is the complete beautiful prayer:

"Master of the World, I knew that I am in Your hands alone, like clay in the potter's hand. And even if I try with counsel and strategies, and all the dwellers of the world stand by my side to save and support me, without Your strength and assistance, there is no help and salvation. And if, God forbid, they all wish to harm, You in Your mercy will set Your eyes upon me and gaze upon me for good from Your holy abode. My portion has fallen pleasantly, and my salvation has come, and my aid will be revealed. Therefore, help me, Master of the World, to always have my eyes open to see the truth of this thing, and may Your faith be ingrained and fixed in my heart at all times so that I may not stray in speech, deed, or thought to serve anyone but You, God forbid, for my soul should truly pursue Your good will. Also, help me that Your greatness, strength, and the vitality of Your presence at every moment shall not depart from my thoughts and heart, and the smallness of my value among Your creations shall be ever-present, and what am I before Your creatures, even if I were pure of all sin, let alone when my sins are numerous above head height, lowering me before all Your creations, for they fulfill Your will for which they were created, and in my haughtiness of heart I am despised in Your eyes. Help me that humility and lowliness of spirit shall cling to my heart and thoughts at all times and every moment, and let Your fear be upon my face that I should not sin, and my heart will always rejoice in You for You have created me for Your honor, and may Your love burn within me, and from Your wisdom impart upon me to always have before my eyes Your greatness and strength and my smallness of value and lack of understanding, and my heart will not be haughty, and I shall not pursue honor and greatness and wealth but that my soul longs to do Your honest will in Your eyes, and I shall be ready at every moment to sacrifice my soul, spirit, and essence for the sanctification of Your name, and remove all barriers separating me from You, and return me in perfect repentance before You. And may I find pleasantness in all that You do with me and no matter will distract me from Your true service, and no human jealousy will affect me and I will not envy others, and I will not desire anything but Your will, and guide us on the path of Your statutes to serve You with a pure and clean heart and with joy and humility and love of Your people, Israel, and may Your name be sanctified through me and through my offspring and the offspring of my offspring until the end of all generations and may no defect be found in us, God forbid, and may we be saved from the desecration of the name, and may we merit to engage in Your Torah for its own sake, with continuity out of abundance, in repentance and understanding, and joy and a pure heart, and may we be preserved from all sin and wrongdoing, and rejoice in Your words of Torah and Your commandments forever, and may we merit to rectify that which we have sinned and not be shamed in this world or humiliated in the world to come, Amen, so may it be Your will."