The Hungarian village of Olaszliszka, or Liska as it is known to the local Jewish community, is a magical retreat that welcomes tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews annually.

Liska Jewish Cemetery is a distinctive site steeped in tradition and devoted faith. Here lies the revered grave of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Friedman, or "Hershel Lisker" as the community calls him, who established the first Hasidic home in Europe. The first Lisker Rebbe, known for his significant poverty, upheld a life characterized by deep teachings, acts of charity, and miraculous help. His name is associated with countless miraculous deeds: sick people visited the famous rebbe and received healing, but he also helped many to prosperity with his blessing. The life of this revered rebbe had a lasting effect on the Orthodox Jewish communities of that period. The rebbe continues to attract tens of thousands of pilgrims each year, with the yahrzeit on Av 14 being a major draw.

The activities of the Liska Hasidic dynasty and Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedman contributed to the spread of Hasidism in Hungary and worldwide. 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 healing prowess of the Lisker Rebbe was well-known and respected throughout various lands. The reputation of his healing drew many people from different nations to the village of Liska. The community trusted that the rabbi’s blessings and prayers could address and heal both bodily and mental afflictions.The experience of his presence was reported by several pilgrims at his grave, even after he had passed away.

By their actions, the two caretakers of the Liska Jewish cemetery upheld both the graves and the cherished memory of the past. Candles were lit at each grave, the flames of which bowed before the souls of those who once lived in this small village. The candle flames serve as a bridge between bygone times and today, illuminating from the core of collective memory.

The candle flame is a powerful symbol with deep roots in Jewish religious practice. The flames not only illuminate but also open a gateway to the Eternal. As the Book states: "Man's soul is the Lord's lamp, which searches out all the innermost parts." Proverbs 20:27

In 2024, we are living the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust. The reverent flames in the Jewish cemetery of Liska do more than mark individual graves; they also commemorate an entire era and the destiny of an entire people. The flame of the candles commemorates not only the graves but also the countless lives and families that were left unfinished. Through the lights of remembrance, these flames bring to life the tragedies suffered during the Holocaust, highlighting the reminder that each life that was never lived to its fullest is a loss to us all. 

Together, the candle flames and the legacy of the Liska Rebbe remind us that the light of remembrance endures forever. Join us for the upcoming commemoration, scheduled for the evening before the yahrzeit of Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at sunset.