Every year, tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews visit Olaszliszka, or Liska as the local Jewish community names it, a charming hideaway in Hungary.

Olaszliszka, referred to as Liska by the local Jewish community, is a enchanting haven in Hungary, visited by tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews every year.

Liska Jewish Cemetery represents a singular blend of cherished traditions and devoted faith. The resting place of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Friedman, referred to by the community as "Hershel Lisker" and the initiator of Hasidism in Europe, is located here. Although he was famously impoverished, the first Lisker Rebbe lived in accordance with the values of teachings, generosity, and miraculous assistance. Associated with many miraculous events, his name is remembered for healing the ailing and blessing many to achieve prosperity. The extraordinary life of the rebbe left a significant mark on the contemporary Orthodox Jewish communities. Annually, tens of thousands of pilgrims make their way to the rebbe, with the yahrzeit observed on the 14th of Av drawing the most visitors.

The Liska Hasidic dynasty, along with Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedman, greatly influenced the dissemination of Hasidism in Hungary and worldwide. The Kerestir Rebbe, Yeshaya Steiner (widely known as Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir), used this signature style in his correspondence:„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 village of Liska saw an influx of people from abroad, who came to request his healing. There was a belief in the community that the rabbi's blessing and prayers could heal physical and mental suffering.After his death, many pilgrims visiting his grave still felt as though he was somehow present with them.

The two caretakers of the Liska Jewish cemetery performed an act that is not only the graves, but also the bearer of respect and remembrance for the past. At each grave, candles were ignited, their flickering flames bowing in respect to the spirits of former villagers. 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 is a deep symbol of the Jewish religion. 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 sacred lights burning in the Liska Jewish cemetery recall not only the individual graves but also an entire epoch and the shared fate of a people. The candle flames not only honor the memory of the graves but also preserve the stories of untold lives and unformed families. These flames, lit in memory, bring the Holocaust’s tragedies into focus and remind us that each life that never reached its potential is a loss felt by all. 

United, the candle flames and the legacy of the Liska Rebbe remind us that the light of remembrance is a timeless beacon. 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.