If We Finish a Book of the Torah and Nobody Hears it, Do We Still Say Chazak?

It’s hard to believe, but it’s our tenth Shabbat out of shul.

We have now missed reading the entire book of Vayikra publicly.

If we were in shul this Shabbat, after the reader chanted the final verse of the book, we would declare, “Chazak chazak v’nitchazeik – stay strong, stray strong and let us strengthen each other!”

Have you ever wondered why we say this?  What are the origins of this practice?

The earliest source for saying “Chazak” in the context of Torah is the Sefer HaManhig, written in the 12th century.  He notes that in France and Provence, the minhag is for the ba’al korei to say “Chazak” to each person called to the Torah.  Others suggest the practice to say “Chazak” to the last person to receive an aliyah.

Rabbi Moshe Mintz in the 15^th century, notes that the minhag in his community was to recite “Chazak" after the completion of each book of the Torah.  He compares it to the recitation of the “Hadran” formula after finishing a tractate, or giving someone a “Yasher koach” after completing a mitzvah.  We encourage those who complete learning or complete a mitzvah to continue on that path.  It’s a validation of the achievement as significant.  Everyone can use some encouragement!

Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik raises the possibility that the minhag to say chazak out loud at the conclusion of each book of the Torah may actually a mistake.  The original practice was for the congregation to recite the last verse aloud.  (This would be similar to the custom of reading aloud the end of each day of creation during the Chatan Bereishit reading on Simchat Torah.)  The printer put in the instructions חז"ק, which stands for chazzan (reader) and kahal (congregation).  People mistook this abbreviated instruction as encouraging all to call out “Chazak!”

(Rav Soloveitchik actually thought that the primary explanation to recite “Chazak” is based on the rabbinic teachings in the Gemara that Torah needs chizuk, strengthening and encouragement.)

All fine and good, but what if we don’t hear the Torah reading?  If we finish a book of the Torah and nobody hears it, do we still say chazak?

It’s like the famous thought experiment: If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? There are many ways to unpack this question.  What is sound?  Does it require a human ear for there to be sound?

If we finish a book of the Torah and nobody hears it, do we still say chazak? For Torah, the answer is yes!

Finishing a book of the Torah is an accomplishment that deserves attention, celebration, and encouragement.  This year, in particular, we must focus on the accomplishments that we HAVE achieved and not dwell on what we have been missing.

Some people may have read each parsha from beginning to end from the Cumash.  Some of us have developed a meaningful Shabbat morning routine.  ( Personally, I started davening on Shabbat morning in the living room but switched to the dining room since it had a better Kiddush Club!)  Maybe our weekday prayers have become more important to us or we’re attending a Torah class on Zoom.  Maybe we’re more mindful to pray for those in need of healing or to support those on the front lines helping people in these crazy times.

Not hearing the Torah read in shul is one of the many things that have changed the last few months.  They are not omissions or deficiencies.  We are responding to a new normal the best we can.  We should emphasize our achievements rather than lament what is missing.

Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazeik!   In these surreal times, now more than ever, we need strength, encouragement, and to encourage each other.

Maybe we should shout it out loud every single day.  Let’s be strong, stay strong, and strengthen each other!