Chazak

Question:

We are planning al pi the rabbonim to make a backyard minyan this Shabbos, and to make up Kriyas Hatorah from Vayakhel.
Should the tzibbur and the baal koreh say chazak and the end of sefer shemos (which is still in middle of the kohens aliyah)?

Answer:

When consulting on this question some of the Rabbonim exclaimed “B”H for such Shailos, when was the last time such a question was asked”!

L’maasah, it would be a hefsek to say Chazak in the middle of an aliya. It could be said either when the aliya is finished,  (R’ Y. Zilberstein shlit”a). Additionally, if you will wait until later, after Parshas Bechokosai and then say chazak, chazak four times…  twice for for Chumash Shemos and twice for Vayikra (Horav  Y. Cahen shlit”a).

It should be noted that according to the Mishna Berura. there is no need to do this (although other argue, see Aruch Hashulchan 135-6), firstly because we don’t make up more than one parsha (See Mishna Berura 135-6), meaning that we don’t read more than two parshois at one time. Additionally, it is controversial if we make up a parsha from a different chumash (See M:B 135-7) or not.

Best wishes