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.
Liska Jewish Cemetery is a special location where deep-seated traditions and committed faith are preserved. 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. The first Lisker Rebbe, who lived a life marked by severe poverty, was deeply committed to religious teachings, charity, and miraculous interventions. He is celebrated for his many miracles, having healed the sick and helped many achieve prosperity through his blessings. The rebbe’s impactful life played a crucial role in shaping the present of the Orthodox Jewish communities during his time. Annually, tens of thousands of pilgrims visit the rebbe, and the yahrzeit is commemorated on the 14th of Av.
Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedman’s leadership and the Liska Hasidic dynasty’s endeavors greatly facilitated the dissemination of Hasidism in Hungary and around the world. Yeshaya Steiner, the Kerestir Rebbe and a student of the Liska Rebbe, signed his correspondence with: "Yeshaya, son of R. Moshe, who studied under the righteous Rebbe of Liska."
The reputation of the Lisker Rebbe for healing was known throughout various lands. Many people from other countries also migrated to the village of Liska and asked him to heal them. 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 actions of the two caretakers at the Liska Jewish cemetery encompass more than grave maintenance; they serve as a tribute to respect and remembrance of the past. Candles were set alight at each grave, their flames bowing in homage to the departed souls of this once vibrant 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.
Within the Jewish religion, the candle flame is a deeply symbolic element, reflecting important spiritual truths. 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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