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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The local Jewish community calls it Liska, but Olaszliszka in Hungary is a captivating hideaway that draws tens of thousands of Orthodox Jewish individuals each year.


Liska Jewish Cemetery is a distinctive site for honoring traditions and unwavering faith. Located here is the holy grave of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Friedman, or "Hershel Lisker" as he is known within the community, the first center of Hasidism in Europe. The first Lisker Rebbe, despite his famous poverty, lived his life in the spirit of teachings, charity, and miraculous assistance. His name is associated with countless miraculous deeds: sick people visited the famous rebbe and received healing, but he also helped many to prosperity with his blessing. The life of the wonderful rebbe had a great impact on the present of the Orthodox Jewish communities of that time. Tens of thousands of pilgrims visit the rebbe annually, with the yahrzeit taking place on the 14th of Av.


The influence of Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedman and the activities of the Liska Hasidic dynasty were instrumental in spreading Hasidism throughout Hungary and beyond. 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."


Across many places, the Lisker Rebbe was celebrated for his exceptional skills in healing. The Lisker Rebbe's reputation for healing drew many people from other countries to the village of Liska. In the community, it was widely believed that the rabbi's blessings and prayers had the power to heal both physical and mental ailments. 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. Candles are seen as a symbolic link between past and present, with their flames shining from the heart of memory.


The candle's flame represents a deep and meaningful symbol within the Jewish religion. More than just casting light, the flames reveal a gateway to 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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