On Thursday, Thanksgiving day, we start Nach Yomi again, beginning with Sefer Yehoshua, The book of Joshua, Chapter 1.
A brief thought before we start:
At the end of each book of the Torah that we read in Shul, we say, "Chazak Chazak, v'nitchazeik". Be strong, be strong, and may we be strengthened.
Why do we say this at the end of the book? It would seem that we don't need the strength, now that we're finished!
I think we say it not because of the conclusion, but because of the new beginning that follows. It's easy to finish when you're half way through, and it's even easier when the finish line is in sight. But when you have a whole new book of Torah to get through, it looks like a tall mountain to climb. It's daunting. So we say, to each other, "Be strong! Be strong!" And then we pray, "May we be strengthened!"
We start an endeavor of Torah learning with 1) togetherness and 2) prayer to God.
As we start Nach Yomi, it seems like a big, big project. But I think if we start it right, with blessing each other with strength and praying to God for the strength to do it each day (and catch up immediately if we fall behind), then the mountain will only yield its greatness to us.
So let's start. Chazak, Chazak, v'nitchazeik!
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