Minyan

A minyan (מִנְיָן) is a quorum of ten Jewish adults required for certain religious obligations. The term is derived from the Hebrew word for "number" or "count," reflecting the numerical requirement for this quorum. In traditional Jewish practice, a minyan is necessary for public worship, including the recitation of specific prayers such as the Kaddish, Barchu, and Kedusha. The concept is rooted in the idea that communal prayer holds greater spiritual significance than individual prayer. The requirement for a minyan is based on interpretations of the Talmud and other rabbinic texts. In some modern interpretations, particularly within Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism, the composition of a minyan may include individuals of all genders and ages, though traditional Orthodox and Conservative Judaism typically require the minyan to consist of adult males over the age of thirteen. The term "minyan" is also used in other contexts, such as in the phrase "minyan of Torah scrolls," referring to a collection of ten Torah scrolls.