OLASZLISZKA, KNOWN LOCALLY AS LISKA, IS A CAPTIVATING RETREAT IN HUNGARY THAT ATTRACTS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ORTHODOX JEWS ANNUALLY.

Olaszliszka, known locally as Liska, is a captivating retreat in Hungary that attracts tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews annually.

Olaszliszka, known locally as Liska, is a captivating retreat in Hungary that attracts tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews annually.

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The Hungarian village of Olaszliszka, or Liska as it is known to the local Jewish community, is a magical retreat that welcomes tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews annually.


Liska Jewish Cemetery is a unique place for traditions and dedicated faith. The holy burial site of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Friedman, known to the community as "Hershel Lisker," the founder of Hasidism in Europe, is situated here. The first Lisker Rebbe, though renowned for his poverty, dedicated his life to the principles of teachings, charity, and divine intervention. His name is linked with numerous miraculous acts: the renowned rebbe healed the sick and blessed many, leading them to prosperity. The inspiring life of the rebbe significantly impacted the present-day Orthodox Jewish communities of his time. Tens of thousands of pilgrims visit the rebbe every year even today. Yahrazeit: Av. 14.


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 reputation of the Lisker Rebbe for healing extended far beyond his local community. People from various countries also moved to the village of Liska, seeking his healing touch. The community trusted that the rabbi’s blessings and prayers could address and heal both bodily and mental afflictions.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 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 candle flames are viewed as a bridge connecting the past to the present, their light emerging from the depths of memory.


In Jewish tradition, the candle flame represents a deep and significant symbol. These flames are not just sources of light but gateways to the Eternal. As the Book writes: "Man's soul is the Lord's lamp, which searches out all the innermost parts." Proverbs 20:27


In 2024, we are observing the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust. The reverent flames in the Jewish cemetery of Liska do more than mark individual graves; they also commemorate an entire era and the destiny of an entire people. Beyond preserving the memory of the graves, the candles’ flames also honor the untold lives and the families that never came to be. The lights of remembrance bring these flames to life, illuminating the tragedies of the Holocaust and underscoring the fact that every life not fully lived is a collective loss. 


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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