SAYING CHAZAK CHAZAK V’NITCHAZEK AT THE END OF EACH SEFER
Rav Mordy Friedman

	Ashkenaz and Sefarad customs (minhagim) are usually quite different, but when it comes to the saying of “Chazak” in the context of Keriat HaTorah (public Torah reading) it is striking and uncanny that both Ashkenazim and Sefardim have the blessing “chazak”, only that it is said under completely different circumstances and conditions, and have a completely different meaning and function.

	According to the classic Ashkenaz practice: The phrase “chazak chazak v’nitchazek” is recited by the congregation and then repeated by the Ba’al Koreh (Torah reader) upon the end of the public reading of each Sefer, i.e, as in the end of this week’s parsha - Bechukotai – the end of Sefer Vayikra.  This minhag is treated as a very special and holy minhag – as attested to by the fact that the Gabbai gets up and announces that the entire congregation should stand up for that last aliyah and chant in unison – chazak chazav v’nitchazek.  

	In contrast, according to the dominant Sefarad custom, at the end of every single individual Torah reading, whether it be on Monday morning, Thursday morning, or Shabbat morning, the congregation individually greet the Ba’al Koreh (Torah reader) with the word “chazak” or more precisely, “Chazak U’Baruch.”

	Despite that both customs involve the word “chazak” and are found in the context of public Torah reading, the two customs vary in every possible way:  Let us chart out and summarize three significant differences for the purpose of clarification:

	When to say Chazak	What is said	Who says it	
Ashkenazim	End of each Sefer	Chazak Chazak V’Nitchazek	Congregation in unison followed by Torah reader out loud	
Sefaradim	End of each Torah reading	Chazak (U’baruch)	Congregation as they greet the Torah reader personally	

	It would appear that not only are these two practices different in their practical implementation, but they are also differ on a fundamental level, namely, their basis, function, meaning and significance.

	For Sefaradim, the word “Chazak,” is meant in the way that it was said to Yehoshua by God “chazak v’ametz,” (Joshua chap. 1), namely a blessing of support and “chizuk” for a job well done – in our case - of reading from the Torah and wishing the Ba’al Koreh to continue his performance of mitzvot.  Hence “chazak” is akin to the English expression: “good job,” and “Keep up the good work.”  For this reason, “Chazak” is said after the reading of any part of the Torah and is said personally to the Chazan by other individuals as they greet him.  

On the other hand, Ashkenazim have a different greeting dedicated for such a purpose, namely a handshake accompanied with the greeting – “Yasher Koach.”  This being the case, the expression “Chazak” means something entirely else for Ashkenazim.  

From the fact that “Chazak…” is said only at the very end of the reading of each Sefer, it is not a blessing aimed at the individual reader of the Torah – but at the entire congregation, upon reaching a certain milestone and accomplishment - the completing of an entire book of Torah.  [Based on this reasoning it should not surprise us to find the custom from Medieval Italy was to only say “chazak” upon the completion of the entire Torah on Simchat Torah – for only that is a grand accomplishment.]

In other words, “Chazak Chazak V’Nitchazek” is meant as a public “chizuk” for those that just finished reading the Torah – akin to having a Siyum at the end of the learning of a Masechet.  It is a way to tell those present that they need to strengthen themselves through what they have learned, not to forget what they have learned, and to encourage them to continue learning.  

Based on this analysis we can understand several details in the Ashkenazi minhag.  First, the entire congregation says “chazak…” in unison, for it is a message that all present must understand and grasp.  Second, the Torah Reader also repeats “Chazak …” after the congregation says it aloud, for it is not a personal greeting aimed at him (which would make praising yourself a bit bizarre), but rather a message for everyone.  Third, the formulation is “chazak chazak V’NITCHAZEK,” the last word being in the plural – something entirely inappropriate were the blessing to be aimed at the Torah reader alone.