Minyan

What is a Minyan?

A minyan is the minimum number of Jewish adults required for certain communal prayers and religious duties to take place. Traditionally, a minyan is made up of ten Jewish men over the age of 13 (the age of bar mitzvah). However, in Reform and Liberal Judaism, women over the age of 12 (bat mitzvah) can also be included in the minyan.

How is a Minyan Used?

The minyan is necessary for particular parts of Jewish worship, especially public prayers that emphasise community and togetherness. These include the Kaddish (a prayer praising God), the Barchu (the call to prayer), and the reading of the Torah in synagogue. Without a minyan, these prayers cannot be said in their traditional form. This shows the importance Judaism places on collective worship, not just individual prayer.

The Significance of the Minyan

The minyan reflects the belief that prayer is strongest when offered within a community. Judaism values both private devotion and public worship, but certain prayers require a group to highlight that faith is not lived in isolation. It also reminds Jews of their responsibility to support one another in their religious lives.

In Orthodox Judaism, keeping the traditional requirement of ten men is seen as preserving the continuity of Jewish law (halakhah) as given by God. In Reform Judaism, including women in the minyan reflects a belief in equality and adaptation to modern values. This difference highlights how Jewish communities interpret their traditions in different ways.

Ultimately, the minyan symbolises the power of community in Jewish life: it ensures that prayer, Torah, and remembrance are carried out as a shared responsibility of the Jewish people.