Intersecting Dynasty
The Lisker Dynasty is, in actuality, a synthesis of several dynasties and has a few branches intersecting and commingling within the same family. In previous journals we traced the Lisker Dynasty from a linear perspective in OlaszLiska from the progenitor, Rav Tzvi Hersh Firedman, to the present day Lisker Rebbe, Rav Tzvi Hersh Friedlander. In this journal, we would like to cover some of the conjunct families that contributed to the present-day Lisker Dynasty.
Rav David Friedlander - the elder brother of the Tal Chaim, a son-in-law of the Ach Pri Tevuah - was born in 1833 to Rav Moshe Friedlander in the town of Kisvarda, and became an exceptional Torah scholar under the tutelage of Rav Maharam Shick. Although possessing a keen intellect and erudition he chose to become a tobacconist and developed into a very prominent and beloved member of the community, which appointed him President of the Jewish Community. He was also
a very trusted advisor to his brothers, some of whom were notable Torah scholars -such as his brother the Tal Chaim - and some of whom were affluent businessmen.
In 1896, he represented Hungarian Jewry in their totality at the 1000 Jubilee celebration and was featured in a magazine called "Hungarian Jewry," which included his picture, biography and a digest of his communal activities. He was a tireless community activist and met with several kings, including the Emperor Franz Joseph on a few occasions. During one encounter Franz Joseph was on the offensive by claiming that the Jews were not loyal citizens of Austro-Hungary, being that they prayed thrice daily for G-D to return them to Zion.
Rav David subverted the Emperor's mindset through a parable:
"A much-loved King needed a very large subsidy and approached one of his wealthy advisors for the loan. In return, as collateral, he left the eager benefactor his crown, but returned shortly thereafter to see how his crown was faring. To his horror, he glimpsed the prostrate crown on a base and disgraceful perch and elected to reimburse the man quickly and retrieve his crown.
He then borrowed the money from another advisor and, again, left his crown. But, this time, when he came to inspect his crown, he found it placed in a position of deference right near the mirror, with the man juxtaposed."
"So, too," concluded Rav David, "did G-D do with Israel. He stationed us in lands with people who didn't treat us with the respect due a 'treasured nation.' Then he reclaimed us and bestowed us upon a King who is trustworthy, sweet and strong and installs us right next to his mirror because of his great esteem and warm-heartedness."
The Emperor was not just appeased, he was moved to tears. Rav David lifted not only himself but his entire nation in the Emperor's regard.
Rav David was instrumental in the construction of a "mikvah" that served three Jewish communities and a disparate "shul" for each community as well as a Bikur Cholim that offered lodging and a meal to any wayfarer. As a "Rosh Hakahal" (community leader) he oversaw construction on many Jewish institutions.
Because of his celebrity, piety and scholarship he merited having his son, Yehudah, evolve into an illustrious Torah sage and jurist known as the Borger Rebbe, who married Chava, the daughter of Moshe Paneth, the Daszer Rebbe.
The forefather of the Dezser dynasty, Yecheskel Paneth, pursued Judaic studies in Leipzig, Poland and Prague and was introduced to and infatuated with the Chassidic movement, of which he became an ardent proponent. He obtained two Rabbinical positions before assuming the position of Chief Rabbi of Transylvania, which he presided over from his pulpit in Alba Julia, Roumania, and he established a spiritually-distinguished and culturally-elevated community.
Rabbi Yecheskel pored over the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch and became a renowned Torah scholar and Kabbalist, who corresponded frequently with other Torah sages and logicians, including the Chasam Sofer. His exegesis on the Torah - the "Mare Yecheskel" -was published posthumously in 1875.
Rav Yecheskel's eldest son, Menachem Mendel, who had been associate Rabbi during his father's lifetime, acquired his father's position upon his passing in 1845, and in 1862 slowly relocated his membership to Dezs, a city previously delimited to Jews. Considered the first Rebbe of Dezs, he inaugurated a Chevra Kadisha and a prestigious Yeshiva as well as composing four tomes on Jewish Jurisprudence, the laws and questions and answers on the Torah.
Rav Menachem Mendel initiated a custom in his congregation of celebrating the Yahrzeit of Moshe Rabbainu on the 7th day of Adar with a fast by ten members of the Chevra Kadisha and a subsequent feast.
Upon his death, the Chevra Kadisha erected an Ohel (tent) for his remains and mandated that on his Yahrzeit 365 candles should be lit in his memory.
Reb Moshe, his son, undertook the Rabbinate in 1886 and became a consort of Emperor Franz Josef, who dispatched a coach to convey him to his coronation. Thereafter, Reb Moshe retained the coach in his Rabbinical court as a memento of the Emperor's grace.
Reb Moshe was recognized as a Miracle Rabbi and published a book entitled "Avodas Hakohanim" - The Service of the Kohanim. However, according to anecdotal evidence, Rav Chaim HaKohen of Nikolsburg authored the book and relayed it to Rav Moshe Paneth by carrier pigeon for publication. Rav Moshe had two sons and a daughter Chava from his first wife, Malka, which allows us to regress to the beginning of this narrative.
Chava married Yehudah, the son of David Friedlander, and he became the Rabbi of Borgoprund. A pogrom in the city compelled a move to Dezs where Rav Yehudah was revered for his encyclopedic apprehension of Torah, and he matured into a venerable jurist and participated in many legal cases and ceremonial matters. A few years after the pogrom abated and life returned to normal in Borgoprund, Rav Yehudah and his wife returned there and settled their five children there. One of their sons, Rav Menchem Mendel, settled in Klausenberg and married Bracha, the daughter of his brother, the Tal Chaim.
The Lisker family history is a very rich, intricate and multi-layered web of symbiotic family relationships and yet the elements that permeate and are interlaced within the entire family tree are a love of Torah and people and a dedication towards the propagation of Torah values and good deeds.
Rabbi Jakov Elimelech Paneth
Rabbi Elimelech Bindiger-Sinyever Rebe
