Yeshivat Frisch seniors in Yael Goldfischer’s sefer Devarim elective had the opportunity to hear a guest lecture from Nishmat founder and dean, Rabbanit Chana Henkin on Jan. 30. Rabbanit Henkin spoke about how minhagim develop and change over time. She stressed the importance of taking ownership of one’s learning and having an authentic voice in the Jewish community.

“Her point about the moldability and fluidity of minhag over hundreds of years was thought provoking,” said senior Eliana Suldan. “It caused me to think about the origins of some of our customs that we take for granted.”

The lecture tied into the class’s exploration of the constant sub-theme in Sefer Devarim of applying the Torah to new situations while not altering the Torah—the fine line of adapting and yet conserving.