JL;DR SUMMARY Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein, a Torah scholar and historian, discusses the background of the Brody Cherem in Gaon #19, focusing on the theory that opposition to Beshtian Chassidus began in 1781 and the involvement of Maskilim in the conflict between Chassidim and Misnagdim, particularly exploring the role of Yisroel of Zamosz. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski.

• At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself.
• This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude.
• Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from.
• But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me.
• And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.