Olaszliszka, or Liska, as the local Jewish community calls it, is a magical hideaway in Hungary, where tens of thousands of Orthodox Jewish peoples come every year.

The uniqueness of Liska Jewish Cemetery lies in its role as a sacred space for tradition and dedicated faith. The holy grave of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Friedman, or as the community calls him: "Hershel Lisker", the first home 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. His legacy includes many miraculous acts: the esteemed rebbe healed the sick and bestowed blessings that led to the prosperity of numerous individuals. The remarkable life of the rebbe profoundly influenced the Orthodox Jewish communities of his era. The rebbe continues to attract tens of thousands of pilgrims each year, with the yahrzeit on Av 14 being a major draw.

The efforts of the Liska Hasidic dynasty and Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedman played a key role in the expansion of Hasidism both in Hungary and around the globe. Yeshaya Steiner, the Kerestir Rebbe (also known as Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir), signed his letters as follows:„Yeshaya son of R. Moshe, who attended the righteous Rebbe of Liska”

The Lisker Rebbe was famous far and wide for healing. 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.Despite his death, numerous visitors to his grave claimed to have felt his continued presence.

The two caretakers of the Liska Jewish cemetery performed an act that honored not just the graves, but also preserved respect and remembrance for the past. Each grave was adorned with candles, their flames bowing solemnly to honor the souls of those who once called this small village home. The flickering flames of the candles are seen as a link between past and present, casting light from the heart of remembrance.

Candles' flames carry a deep symbolic meaning within Jewish spirituality. The flames do not merely cast light, but also open a gate to all that is Eternal. As the Book says: "Man's soul is the Lord's lamp, which searches out all the innermost parts." Proverbs 20:27

As we reach 2024, we reflect on 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 candle flames not only honor the memory of the graves but also preserve the stories of untold lives and unformed families. The remembrance lights breathe life into these flames, highlighting the Holocaust’s tragedies and reminding us that each unfulfilled life represents a loss to everyone. 

Both the candlelight and the legacy of the Liska Rebbe symbolize that the light of remembrance shines on eternally. A similar commemoration is planned for the day before Reb Shaya'la of Kerestir's yahrzeit, Thursday, May 9, 2024, as the sun sets.