Just as it is Israelite tradition to proclaim Chazak Chazak V’nichazeck at the ending of each book of the Torah and indeed at the close of the whole reading cycle, so it is also Calvarian tradition to declare Rak Chazak Amatz at the commencement of each book of the Torah and of the entire reading cycle.

Colloquially this means “be strong and of a good courage” but literally means “Strengthen your weakness and be bold”.

Traditionally at the close of each Torah cycle we not only start in on the beginning again but we also begin to read what followed after in the book of Yehoshua (commonly called Joshua).

Moses was dead and it was left to Joshua to lead the people into the Land of Israel according to the promise. Without Moses it was all up to Joshua to do the work. There would be much trial and many troubles ahead but he was tasked with the teaching of the Torah thereafter and with keeping to it himself and leading the people in accordance with the unchanging Way.

It would take great strength to do the work of keeping the people on the Path and great boldness to go into the Promised Land to purge the place of all the nations therein.

The same message is given to us Today as was to Joshua. Rak Chazak Amats.

Strengthen your weakness and be bold.

We don’t have whole nations to lead nor other peoples to conquer, but we do have the same Torah of Moses to uphold against the onslaught of all nations and narratives. We do have to walk straight upon the Road without turning to the right hand or the left when all other directions seem easier and all other avenues smoother underfoot.

And we too have that same exact promise from Providence that we will prosper in all we do and whereever we go if we hold fast The Way, if we guard this Torah ceaselessly, and if we do it daily without deviation or diminution.

No one was ever promised eternal life for obeying the Torah. That was a pagan lie to make us leave it behind for a heathen “Jesus”.

That was a misrepresentation of the message to teach us to disobey our Creator, a mistake to make us take a detour off the ancient Path turning left and right and ruining our life.

YHWH promised prosperity in this life if we observe to do according to the Torah, not pardon from perdition and eternal life in the world to come.

If you want pardon you put your trust in Yeshua.

But what did He have to pardon you from?

From having broken the Torah.

Therefore strengthen your weakness and be bold to do according to all this Torah because you have been pardoned for all your breaking of it.

If you want to have success, prosperity, and a good life, as YHWH promised, then do according to all that is written in the Torah.

Rak Chazak Amats
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