Known as Liska to the local Jewish community, Olaszliszka is a charming destination in Hungary that welcomes tens of thousands of Orthodox Jewish travelers each year.
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. The first Lisker Rebbe, who lived a life marked by severe poverty, was deeply committed to religious teachings, charity, and miraculous interventions. He is celebrated for his many miracles, having healed the sick and helped many achieve prosperity through his blessings. The rebbe’s impactful life played a crucial role in shaping the present of the Orthodox Jewish communities during his time. Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims journey to honor the rebbe, particularly during the yahrzeit on the 14th of Av.
The activities of the Liska Hasidic dynasty and Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedman contributed to the spread of Hasidism in Hungary and worldwide. The Kerestir Rebbe, Yeshaya Steiner—known as Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir—often signed his writings: "Yeshaya, son of R. Moshe, who was a disciple of the righteous Rebbe of Liska."
The Lisker Rebbe was famous far and wide for healing. People from various countries also traveled to the village of Liska, seeking the Lisker Rebbe's healing expertise. There was a strong conviction within the community that the rabbi's prayers and blessings had the ability to cure physical and emotional distress. 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 undertook a task that goes beyond maintaining the graves; they are also custodians 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. Candles are seen as a symbolic link between past and present, with their flames shining from the heart 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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