JL;DR SUMMARY The article explores the enduring bond between two prominent Rosh Yeshivahs, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch of Slabodka and Rav Meir Stern of Passaic, who were childhood friends and chose to pursue a life dedicated to Torah study under Rav Aharon Kotler in Lakewood. 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'.