When you need a minyan

Joseph Henson, President

So, what is a minyan? The standard Oxford dictionary definition is straightforward: a quorum of ten men (or at Beth Tikvah, men and women) over the age of 13 that are required for Jewish public worship.

Although this may seem circular, Jewish public worship is reciting out loud, so other worshipers can hear, nine specific prayers which may only be said when a minyan is available and present. Probably most Jews know that 10 is the number required to constitute a minyan. That may seem unambiguous, but it is not always. Across the Jewish spectrum of liberal through traditional to orthodox policies and practices (yes, all Jews but many opinions) guiding minyan, implementations vary. To add even more quibbling along this same spectrum, differences arise about the exact number required for a minyan, who may be included in the minyan and how long do they need to remain to be counted in the minyan.

What are examples of public worship that require a minyan? Of these, the most well known are probably the Kaddish and Barchu prayers and reading from the Torah. Many would say it’s easy to get a minyan for these prayers as they are among those recited each and every Shabbat. Most congregations can make minyan on Shabbat. Even Beth Tikvah, which has north-south tidal flows of snowbirds, usually will have enough Jews on Shabbat morning or Friday evening when Zoom participation has been helpful.

As mentioned, among the different Jewish factions, there are some variations in religious custom. So, when it is most difficult for a smaller conservative congregation like Beth Tikvah to bring together a minyan to recite some or all of these nine specific prayers? Virtually always when someone requests a minyan outside of the usual pattern of religious services — Friday evening, Shabbat morning and, in season, Sunday morning minyan. In almost all instances, it’s when a person having a yahrzeit (the anniversary of the death of a loved one) requests a minyan to recite Kaddish, the mourner’s prayer. Within the Conserative movement, Kaddish is recited individually by those having a yahrzeit rather than as the congregation as a whole. As a policy, Beth Tikvah responds to both member and nonmember requests for a minyan.

One very special minyan request that I remember was when a family requested a minyan for their twin daughters’ bat mitzvahs. COVID had prevented them from traveling to Israel to celebrate this major lifecycle event, but Beth Tikvah stepped up for them. It was a wonderful day. The two young ladies read beautifully from the Torah, something that they would have been unable to do without a minyan. The family was very pleased that Beth Tikvah was able to be there for their daughters.

Are there other benefits to being in a minyan? Well, joining a minyan in your shul is a mitzvah and has clear religious purpose as it fulfills one of God’s commandments. But just as important for most is the social aspect of coming together in mutual support of other Jews, whether they are grieving or rejoicing.

In fact, I will be joining a minyan this Thursday as a friend says Kaddish on her mother’s yahrzeit. Please check our website for a listing of other minyan requests. Why don’t you join us?! The feeling of community at these often small, intimate services is a unique way to sense the connectivity of us all.