In Hungary, Olaszliszka—referred to as Liska by the local Jewish community—is a delightful sanctuary that sees tens of thousands of Orthodox Jewish visitors annually.
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. 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 life of the wonderful rebbe had a great impact on the present of the Orthodox Jewish communities of that time. The rebbe continues to attract tens of thousands of pilgrims each year, with the yahrzeit celebrated 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. His student, the Kerestir rebbe, Yeshaya Steiner (known as Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir (Kerestirer)), who later signed his correspondence as follows: „Yeshaya son of R. Moshe, who attended the righteous Rebbe of Liska”
The Lisker Rebbe earned widespread acclaim for his extraordinary talent in healing. Many people from other countries also migrated to the village of Liska and asked him to heal them. There was a strong conviction within the community that the rabbi's prayers and blessings had the ability to cure physical and emotional distress. His grave remained a place where pilgrims reported feeling his enduring presence and receiving spiritual solace, even posthumously.
The two caretakers of the Liska Jewish cemetery undertook a task that goes beyond maintaining the graves; they are also custodians of respect and remembrance for the past. At each grave, candles were lit, their gentle flames bowing in honor of the souls who once dwelled in this quaint village. Viewed as a bridge between bygone days and the present, the candle flames illuminate from the core of collective memory.
Within the Jewish religion, the candle flame is a deeply symbolic element, reflecting important spiritual truths. More than just casting light, the flames reveal a gateway 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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