OLASZLISZKA, OR LISKA, AS THE LOCAL JEWISH COMMUNITY CALLS IT, IS A MAGICAL HIDEAWAY IN HUNGARY, WHERE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ORTHODOX JEWISH PEOPLES COME EVERY YEAR.

Olaszliszka, or Liska, as the local Jewish community calls it, is a magical hideaway in Hungary, where tens of thousands of Orthodox Jewish peoples come every year.

Olaszliszka, or Liska, as the local Jewish community calls it, is a magical hideaway in Hungary, where tens of thousands of Orthodox Jewish peoples come every year.

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Olaszliszka, or Liska, as the local Jewish community calls it, is a magical hideaway in Hungary, where tens of thousands of Orthodox Jewish peoples come every year.


The Liska Jewish Cemetery stands out as a unique sanctuary for tradition and unwavering faith. This location is home to the venerated grave of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Friedman, or "Hershel Lisker" as he is known among the community, the first center of Hasidism in Europe. Despite his well-known poverty, the first Lisker Rebbe lived his life embodying teachings, charity, and miraculous aid. His name is linked with numerous miraculous acts: the renowned rebbe healed the sick and blessed many, leading them to prosperity. The life of the wonderful rebbe had a great impact on the present of the Orthodox Jewish communities of that time. The rebbe continues to attract tens of thousands of pilgrims each year, with the yahrzeit on Av 14 being a major draw.


Through their endeavors, the Liska Hasidic dynasty and Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedman helped propel the proliferation of Hasidism across Hungary and the world. The Kerestir Rebbe, Yeshaya Steiner—affectionately referred to as Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir—used this signature format in his correspondence:„Yeshaya son of R. Moshe, who attended the righteous Rebbe of Liska”


The healing prowess of the Lisker Rebbe was well-known and respected throughout various lands. Many international visitors relocated to Liska, hoping to receive his healing services. The community held a belief that the rabbi's blessings and prayers had the power to alleviate both physical and mental suffering.The experience of his presence was reported by several pilgrims at his grave, even after he had passed away.


The two caretakers of the Liska Jewish cemetery performed an act that honored not just the graves, but also preserved respect and remembrance for the past. Candles were placed at every grave, their flames gently inclining in homage to the souls of the villagers who once lived here. The flame of the candles is considered a kind of bridge between the past and the present, the light of which shines from the depths of memory.


In Jewish tradition, the candle flame represents a deep and significant symbol. The light of the flames goes beyond mere illumination, serving as a portal to the Eternal. As the Book reveals: "Man's soul is the Lord's lamp, which searches out all the innermost parts." Proverbs 20:27


The year 2024 represents the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust. The solemn lights burning in the Jewish cemetery of Liska not only honor individual graves but also evoke an entire era and the fate of a whole people. The light of the candles keeps alive the memory of the graves, as well as the lives never fully lived and families never started. These flames, lit in memory, bring the Holocaust’s tragedies into focus and remind us that each life that never reached its potential is a loss felt by all. 


Both the candlelight and the legacy of the Liska Rebbe symbolize that the light of remembrance shines on eternally. A similar commemoration is planned for the day before Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir's yahrzeit, Thursday, May 9, 2024, as the sun sets.

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