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 unique place for traditions and dedicated faith. The revered grave of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Friedman, known to the community as "Hershel Lisker," and the original home of Hasidism in Europe, can be found here. Although the first Lisker Rebbe was famously impoverished, he lived a life rich in teachings, charity, and miraculous support. He is remembered for countless miracles, having healed the sick and bestowed prosperity upon many through his blessings. The remarkable rebbe’s life significantly impacted the contemporary Orthodox Jewish communities, leaving a lasting mark on their way of life. Tens of thousands of pilgrims visit the rebbe annually, with the yahrzeit taking place on the 14th of Av.


Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedman and the Liska Hasidic dynasty significantly contributed to the growth of Hasidism in Hungary and worldwide. His student, the Kerestir rebbe, Yeshaya Steiner (known as Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir (Kerestirer)‏), who later signed his correspondence as follows: „Yeshaya son of R. Moshe, who attended the righteous Rebbe of Liska”


The Lisker Rebbe was renowned across many regions for his healing abilities. Many international visitors migrated to Liska, coming in hopes of receiving healing from the Lisker Rebbe. The rabbi's blessings and prayers were thought to possess healing powers for both physical and mental suffering within the community. His grave remained a place where pilgrims reported feeling his enduring presence and receiving spiritual solace, even posthumously.


The two caretakers of the Liska Jewish cemetery performed an act that is not only the graves, but also the bearer of respect and remembrance for the past. At each grave, candles were lit, their gentle flames bowing in honor of the souls who once dwelled in this quaint village. The flames of the candles are regarded as a conduit between the past and the present, their glow reflecting the depths of remembrance.


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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