Who's Counted In A Minyan

Halacha Moment
May 28
2 min read

The Daily Halacha Moment - Who's Counted In A Minyan

״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)

“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)

Question:

Who is counted in a minyan?

Can a deaf person be counted in a minyan?

Answer:

A minimum of ten adult Jewish men is required to form a minyan, the quorum necessary for certain communal aspects of tefillah, such as Kaddish, Kedusha, and the repetition of the Amidah [1].

Women are not included in the count for a minyan and are also exempt from the obligation of davening with a minyan. [2] Similarly, a child under bar mitzvah age cannot be counted. When it comes to someone who is deaf-mute, the halachic status is more complex. Traditionally, a deaf-mute was classified similarly to a shoteh (someone lacking halachic mental competence). However, modern poskim debate this classification, particularly if the individual has attended a special education program and has learned to communicate effectively. In such a case, if he appears to have understanding (bar da’at), he may be included in a minyan, especially when necessary. Still, one should limit the Chazarat HaShatz in that situation, to minimize the risk of berachot levatalah (blessings in vain) [3].

Finally, a person who is not religiously observant may still be counted toward a minyan, assuming he identifies as Jewish and does not actively deny fundamental principles of faith [4].

Sources:

[1]. Shulchan Aruch 55:4.

[2]. Tosfot Berachot 45b; Shulchan Aruch O.C. 55:1; Mishna Brurah 55:3; Ishei Yisrael 15:6; Tefillah Khilchata 8:27; Halichot Shlomo, Tefillah ch. 5 fnt. 4 p. 61.

[3]. Yechaveh Da'at 2:6

[4]. Igrot Moshe OC 1:23.

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