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
Blog Article
In Hungary, Olaszliszka—referred to as Liska by the local Jewish community—is a delightful sanctuary that sees tens of thousands of Orthodox Jewish visitors annually.
Liska Jewish Cemetery is a special location where deep-seated traditions and committed faith are preserved. This site is home to the revered grave of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Friedman, known as "Hershel Lisker" in the community, the pioneer of Hasidism in Europe. The first Lisker Rebbe, known for his remarkable poverty, dedicated his life to the teachings of faith, acts of charity, and miraculous assistance. His legacy includes many miraculous acts, with numerous individuals finding healing and prosperity through his blessings. 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."
Across many places, the Lisker Rebbe was celebrated for his exceptional skills in 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. Candles were set alight at each grave, their flames bowing in homage to the departed souls of this once vibrant village. Candles are seen as a symbolic link between past and present, with their flames shining from the heart of memory.
The flame of candles is a deep symbol of the Jewish religion. 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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