LISKA, AS THE LOCAL JEWISH COMMUNITY CALLS IT, IS A MAGICAL HIDEAWAY IN HUNGARY

Liska, as the local Jewish community calls it, is a magical hideaway in Hungary

Liska, as the local Jewish community calls it, is a magical hideaway in Hungary

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Olaszliszka, affectionately referred to as Liska by the local Jewish community, is a picturesque retreat in Hungary that draws tens of thousands of Orthodox Jewish visitors annually.


Liska Jewish Cemetery is a distinctive site for honoring traditions and unwavering faith. Here lies the sacred resting place of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Friedman, affectionately called "Hershel Lisker" by the community, marking the birthplace of Hasidism in Europe. Despite his well-known poverty, the first Lisker Rebbe's life was a testament to his dedication to spiritual teachings, charitable deeds, and miraculous help. His name is associated with numerous miracles, including healing the ill and blessing many towards prosperity. The exemplary life of the rebbe had a substantial effect on the Orthodox Jewish communities of his era, shaping their current practices and beliefs. Even today, tens of thousands of pilgrims make their way to visit the rebbe each year, with the yahrzeit observed on the 14th of Av.


Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedman’s leadership and the Liska Hasidic dynasty’s endeavors greatly facilitated the dissemination of Hasidism in Hungary and around the world. Yeshaya Steiner, the Kerestir Rebbe and a student of the Liska Rebbe, signed his correspondence with: "Yeshaya, son of R. Moshe, who studied under the righteous Rebbe of Liska."


The Lisker Rebbe was renowned across many regions for his healing abilities. The Lisker Rebbe's reputation for healing drew many people from other countries to the village of Liska. There was a belief in the community that the rabbi's blessing and prayers could heal physical and mental suffering. Despite his death, numerous pilgrims who visited his grave claimed to experience a sense of his continued presence.


The caretakers of the Liska Jewish cemetery engage in work that honors not just the graves, but also the broader legacy of respect and historical remembrance. Candles were lit at each grave, the flames of which bowed before the souls of those who once lived in this small village. The candle flames are viewed as a bridge connecting the past and the present, their light emerging from the depths of memory.


In Judaism, the candle flame serves as a powerful symbol with deep religious meaning. Beyond providing light, the flames serve as a portal to the realm of the Eternal. 


As the Book says: "Man's soul is the Lord's lamp, which searches out all the innermost parts." Proverbs 20:27

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