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Hazak u'barukh is a phrase commonly said after one does something in the synagogue (e.g., after an aliyah). What is its origin?

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Do you mean these specific words, or the general practice of congratulatory remarks? – Double AA♦ May 22 '12 at 0:04

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The Rema 139:11 says To say Chazak from the passuk in Yehoshua that says Chazak vametz .The passuk before it says that Torah should not leave your mouth and it will be a blessing for you. So there are those who say Chazak u'baruch and others answer Chazak vametz.

The Kaf Hachaim 139:56 brings down the minhag to say Chazak U'baruch from this Rema.

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Yehoshua 1:8 which is right before passuk 9 says if when Torah does not leave your mouth then you will be blessed ,hence the blessing Chazak u'baruch – sam May 22 '12 at 1:14
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+1, sounds plausible, but do you have a source that indicates that that's the source, too, for the "uvaruch" part? – msh210♦ May 22 '12 at 4:52
Are you sure he's not taking about the 'Chazak Chazak Venitchazak' at the end of each sefer? – Double AA♦ May 22 '12 at 17:58
@DoubleAA that is a Levush this Rema can be the source for it .I think the Rema is talking about finishing a Sefer but I am almost sure this is where the minhag saying after every Aliya came from. The Aruch Hashulchan 139:15 says to say Chazak Chazak chazak = Moshe. – sam May 22 '12 at 18:24
sam, re Kaf Hachayim, nice find, but I don't see that he bases "uvaruch" on the pasuk. – msh210♦ May 22 '12 at 19:00
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