the 14th day in Iyar

R.( Nehorai, Meisha,) Meir

Many, unknowingly claim  the 14th of Iyar to 

be the Yoma D'Hilulah (Yahrzeit) of the Tanna R. Meir.

The truth is there is no Mokor anywhere for the day of

his Petira.

The only mention of R.Meir's Petira is in Yerushalmi

(Kelaim Perek 9 Hl.3)

"R. Meir was niftar in Asia* (Chutz Laaretz)  He asked 

that his body be placed on the sea being E.Y. is 

surrounded by 7 seas". (similar to being buried

in Eretz Yisroel)

According to the  Yerushalmi it is not even clear if his 

body ever ended up  buried in E.Y.

The first one to mention that R.Meir is buried in

Eretz Yisroel (Teveria) is the Sefer Gelilos Ha'aretz.

He also writes that R. Meir Ba'al Haness  is buried in

Gush Chalav and he doesn't know who he was.

The Sdei Chemedi** writes he asked the Rabonim 

of Teveria,"Where does it come from this new

celebration on the 14th Iyar having a Hilulah

for R.Meir. Even the old celebrations (Lag Baomer)

the Ashkenazi Rabonim (Chasam Sofer,Shoel Umeishiv)

are upset with  and now we are adding a new one."

The Rabonim answered that the 14th of Iyar was the 

day they inaugurated the Bais Medrash on the Kever.

and  kept the date to keep on celebrating every year.

(but not because of Yahrzeit)

The Ben Ish Chai and R.Chaim Palagi zt"l, both

write to light a candle for R.Meir on the 1st of Teves.

*name of a country not continent 

** Mareches Eretz Yisroel