Editing Misnagdim (section)

== Opposition During the Maggid's Time ==
According to "Beit Rebbi," the conflict began in 1770 when some of the Vilna Gaon's students brought supposedly upright people who testified that Chassidim were careless with Jewish law and disregarded Torah and commandments. Part of their testimony was about seeing Chassidim eating and drinking on Tisha B'Av and dancing in mixed company, but they didn't mention that Tisha B'Av fell on Shabbat that year and the dancing was with a days-old infant girl.

Based on these stories and testimonies, the Vilna Gaon issued a letter excommunicating the Chassidim, saying they were from the sect of Sabbatai Zevi. The persecution intensified to the point where a proclamation was issued declaring Chassidic wine as forbidden and their bread as non-kosher, and forbidding marriage with them.