Liska, as the local Jewish community calls it, is a magical hideaway in Hungary
Liska, as the local Jewish community calls it, is a magical hideaway in Hungary
Blog Article
The local Jewish community calls it Liska, but Olaszliszka in Hungary is a captivating hideaway that draws tens of thousands of Orthodox Jewish individuals each year.
At Liska Jewish Cemetery, traditions and devoted faith find a unique and sacred place. Located here is the holy grave of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Friedman, or "Hershel Lisker" as he is known within the community, the first center of Hasidism in Europe. Despite his well-known poverty, the first Lisker Rebbe's life was a testament to his dedication to spiritual teachings, charitable deeds, and miraculous help. His name is associated with numerous miracles, including healing the ill and blessing many towards prosperity. The extraordinary life of the rebbe profoundly affected the present-day Orthodox Jewish communities, influencing their traditions and daily practices. Even today, tens of thousands of pilgrims make their way to visit the rebbe each year, with the yahrzeit observed on the 14th of Av.
The Liska Hasidic dynasty, along with Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedman, was crucial in advancing the reach of Hasidism within Hungary and internationally. His disciple, the Kerestir Rebbe Yeshaya Steiner, also known as Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir, often signed his correspondence with the phrase: "Yeshaya, son of R. Moshe, who attended the righteous Rebbe of Liska."
Known far and wide, the Lisker Rebbe gained fame for his remarkable healing powers. The Lisker Rebbe's reputation for healing drew many people from other countries to the village of Liska. In the community, it was widely believed that the rabbi's blessings and prayers had the power to heal both physical and mental ailments. Despite his death, numerous pilgrims who visited his grave claimed to experience a sense of his continued presence.
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 lit at each grave, the flames of which bowed before the souls of those who once lived in this small village. 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.
The flame of candles is a deep symbol of the Jewish religion. The light of the flames extends beyond mere illumination, offering access 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
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