Rabbi Howard Morrison

When we finish reading any of the five books of the Torah, Ashkenazic custom has the attendees add three words as a postscript - "Chazak, Chazak, V'Nitchazek," which literally means, "Be of strength; be of strength; and let us be strengthened."

Torah provides us with physical, spiritual, and emotional strength. These three dimensions of strength could explain the three postscript words.

The root of Chazak also means to take hold of or ownership. When we complete reading a book of Torah, we take ownership and responsibility for its valuable lessons, and we anticipate the lessons to be learned in the next book of Torah.

One particular explanation suggests that "Chazak" refers to the Torah reader; the other "Chazak" refers to the honoree who has received the last Aliyah of that particular book of Torah; "V'Nitchazek" refers to the entire community, without whom the reading of Torah publically could not take place.

As I contemplate the above interpretation, I offer the three postscript words for the Ukraine during these horrible times. "Chazak" - be of strength President Zelenskyy. "Chazak" - be of strength, the Ukrainian Jewish communities. "V'Nitchazek" - and let us be strengthened, all of Ukrainian society.

May peace and freedom soon be heard in Ukraine and throughout the world.

This coming Shabbat, we complete the second book of the Torah, Sefer Shmot - the book of Exodus.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison