The first letter discusses the debunking of claims regarding the Zionism of the Vilna Gaon and his followers, while also mentioning early proponents of Zionism in religious circles.

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.