Olaszliszka, referred to as Liska by the local Jewish community, is a enchanting haven in Hungary, visited by tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews every year.
Olaszliszka, referred to as Liska by the local Jewish community, is a enchanting haven in Hungary, visited by tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews every year.
Blog Article
In Hungary, Olaszliszka, or Liska as it is affectionately called by the local Jewish community, serves as a mystical sanctuary drawing tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews each year.
As a place of deep-rooted traditions and steadfast faith, Liska Jewish Cemetery is truly one of a kind. The resting place of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Friedman, referred to by the community as "Hershel Lisker" and the initiator of Hasidism in Europe, is located here. Despite his well-known poverty, the first Lisker Rebbe lived his life embodying teachings, charity, and miraculous aid. He is celebrated for numerous miracles: people came to the renowned rebbe for healing, and his blessings also brought prosperity to many. The extraordinary life of the rebbe left a significant mark on the contemporary Orthodox Jewish communities. Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims come to see the rebbe, with the yahrzeit on the 14th of Av being a particularly significant time.
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 (widely known as Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir), used this signature style in his correspondence:„Yeshaya son of R. Moshe, who attended the righteous Rebbe of Liska”
The Lisker Rebbe gained widespread renown for his healing abilities. People from various countries also moved to the village of Liska, seeking his healing touch. There was a belief in the community that the rabbi's blessing and prayers could heal physical and mental suffering.Despite his death, numerous visitors to his grave claimed to have felt his continued presence.
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. Each grave was adorned with candles, their flames bowing solemnly to honor the souls of those who once called this small village home. 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 flames offer more than light; they unlock a passage to the Eternal. As the Book describes: "Man's soul is the Lord's lamp, which searches out all the innermost parts." Proverbs 20:27
As we reach 2024, we reflect on the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust. The reverent lights burning in the Jewish cemetery of Liska evoke not only individual graves, but also an entire era, the fate of an entire people. The candle flames not only honor the memory of the graves but also preserve the stories of untold lives and unformed families. Through their glow, these flames evoke the suffering of the Holocaust, serving as a poignant reminder that every life cut short is a loss shared by all.
The combined presence of the candle flames and the legacy of the Liska Rebbe serves as a testament to the eternal nature of remembrance. Join us for the upcoming commemoration, scheduled for the evening before the yahrzeit of Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at sunset.
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