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. 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. Countless miraculous deeds are attributed to him: the famous rebbe cured the ill and granted prosperity to many through his blessings. The extraordinary life of the rebbe left a significant mark on the contemporary Orthodox Jewish communities. Tens of thousands of pilgrims visit the rebbe every year even today. Yahrazeit: Av. 14.
The Liska Hasidic dynasty, along with Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedman, greatly influenced the dissemination of Hasidism in Hungary and worldwide. 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 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. 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. Candles were placed at every grave, their flames gently inclining in homage to the souls of the villagers who once lived here. The light of the candles is perceived as a connection between the past and the present, radiating from the wellspring of remembrance.
The flame of candles holds profound symbolism in the Jewish faith. 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
The year 2024 represents 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.
Together, the candle flames and the legacy of the Liska Rebbe remind us that the light of remembrance endures forever. The next observance will occur on the evening before the yahrzeit of Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir, which falls on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at sunset.
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