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.

As a place of deep-rooted traditions and steadfast faith, Liska Jewish Cemetery is truly one of a kind. The holy grave of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Friedman, or as the community calls him: "Hershel Lisker", the first home of Hasidism in Europe, is located here. The first Lisker Rebbe, though renowned for his poverty, dedicated his life to the principles of teachings, charity, and divine intervention. He is celebrated for numerous miracles: people came to the renowned rebbe for healing, and his blessings also brought prosperity to many. The rebbe's impactful life greatly shaped the Orthodox Jewish communities of his time. Even now, tens of thousands of pilgrims travel to visit the rebbe annually, especially during the yahrzeit on the 14th of Av.

Through their endeavors, the Liska Hasidic dynasty and Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedman helped propel the proliferation of Hasidism across Hungary and the world. Yeshaya Steiner, the Kerestir Rebbe (also known as Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir), signed his letters as follows:„Yeshaya son of R. Moshe, who attended the righteous Rebbe of Liska”

The Lisker Rebbe gained widespread renown for his healing abilities. Many people from other countries also migrated to the village of Liska and asked him to heal them. The belief persisted in the community that the rabbi’s blessings and prayers were capable of relieving physical and psychological suffering.Pilgrims who came to his grave continued to feel his spiritual presence long after his passing.

The two caretakers of the Liska Jewish cemetery performed an act that is not only the graves, but also the bearer of 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 flickering flames of the candles are seen as a link between past and present, casting light from the heart of remembrance.

Candles' flames carry a deep symbolic meaning within Jewish spirituality. 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

In 2024, we are living the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust. The sacred lights burning in the Liska Jewish cemetery recall not only the individual graves but also an entire epoch and the shared fate of a 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. 

Together, the candle flames and the legacy of the Liska Rebbe remind us that the light of remembrance endures forever. A similar commemoration is planned for the day before Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir's yahrzeit, Thursday, May 9, 2024, as the sun sets.