Strong and Resolute

This Shabbat when we finish reading the book of Shmote/Exodus, we will offer the b'al koreh the traditional blessing that is said upon the completion of any of the 5 Books of Moses, Chazak, Chazak, V'Nitchazek which means "may we be exceedingly strong and be strengthened through each other's strength."  These words come from the words with which God blessed Joshua, Moses' attendant, after Moses died and Joshua took on the mantle of leadership. (Joshua 1:6-9)  Three times in those three verses God blesses and enjoins Joshua to be chazak v'amatz, strong and resolute. Joshua's strength came not just from his marshal power, but also from his Torah study and obedience to God. Strong refers to the might within his body, while resolute refers to the emotional courage that he needed to faithfully discharge the duties to which God set him in the conquest of The Promised Land.

Years later when King David's general Joab and his brother, Abishai, split their forces in battle against the Ammonites and Arameans Joab says, "Let us be strong and resolute for the sake of our people, and the land of our God, and the Lord will do what he deems right." (2nd Samuel 10:12)  It is always appropriate to wish someone who is called to the Torah yasher koach as is the custom in Ashkenazik congregations, which means, straight and strong.  The proper response is Baruch tehiyeh meaning, may you be blessed.  In Sephardic congregations the traditional blessing to the Oleh is hazak uvaruch which means strength and blessings. And in this case, the proper response is chazak v'amatz, be strong and resolute

It took a communal effort to read and study and teach this book of the Torah and I pray that we have the strength to keep on learning and growing as a community.

Chazak, Chazak, V'Nitchazek

Rabbi Shalom Plotkin