Liska, as the local Jewish community calls it, is a magical hideaway in Hungary

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. The tomb of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Friedman, belovedly referred to as "Hershel Lisker" by the community, and the original site of Hasidism in Europe, is situated here. 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 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. The Kerestir Rebbe Yeshaya Steiner, a student of the Liska Rebbe, signed his letters as: "Yeshaya, son of R. Moshe, who learned from the righteous Rebbe of Liska."

The Lisker Rebbe earned widespread acclaim for his extraordinary talent in healing. Individuals from different nations also made their way to Liska, requesting healing from the esteemed Lisker Rebbe. In the community, it was widely believed that the rabbi's blessings and prayers had the power to heal both physical and mental ailments. Pilgrims continued to feel his presence and receive spiritual comfort at his grave long after his death.

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. 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.

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