Liska, as the local Jewish community calls it, is a magical hideaway in Hungary

Olaszliszka, or Liska as it is known among the local Jewish community, is a unique haven in Hungary that attracts tens of thousands of Orthodox Jewish people every year.

 

At Liska Jewish Cemetery, traditions and devoted faith find a unique and sacred place. 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. Although the first Lisker Rebbe was famously impoverished, he lived a life rich in teachings, charity, and miraculous support. He is remembered for countless miracles, having healed the sick and bestowed prosperity upon many through his blessings. The life of the wonderful rebbe had a great impact on the present of the Orthodox Jewish communities of that time. Annually, tens of thousands of pilgrims visit the rebbe, and the yahrzeit is commemorated on the 14th of Av.

 

The activities of the Liska Hasidic dynasty and Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedman contributed to the spread of Hasidism in Hungary and worldwide. Yeshaya Steiner, the Kerestir Rebbe and a pupil of the Liska Rebbe, included in his correspondence: "Yeshaya, son of R. Moshe, who followed the righteous Rebbe of Liska."

 

Across many places, the Lisker Rebbe was celebrated for his exceptional skills in healing. The Lisker Rebbe's reputation for healing drew many people from other countries to the village of Liska. The rabbi's blessings and prayers were thought to possess healing powers for both physical and mental suffering within the community. His grave remained a place where pilgrims reported feeling his enduring presence and receiving spiritual solace, even posthumously.

 

The caretakers of the Liska Jewish cemetery engage in work that honors not just the graves, but also the broader legacy of respect and historical remembrance. Candles were set alight at each grave, their flames bowing in homage to the departed souls of this once vibrant village. The flames of the candles are regarded as a conduit between the past and the present, their glow reflecting the depths of remembrance.

 

The flame of candles holds profound symbolic significance in the Jewish faith. The flames not only shine but also unlock a passage to the Eternal. 

 

As the Book says: "Man's soul is the Lord's lamp, which searches out all the innermost parts." Proverbs 20:27

hasidic jews

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Comments on “Liska, as the local Jewish community calls it, is a magical hideaway in Hungary”

Leave a Reply

Gravatar