JL;DR SUMMARY Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the controversial topic of the Brody Cherem of 1772, discussing claims that it was influenced by the Maskilim movement, examining whether key figures like Yisroel of Zamosz and R Aryeh Leib ben Mordechai were associated with the Maskilim. 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'.