NARR 5-6

CCAR RESPONSA

New American Reform Responsa

4. A Service with Less than a Minyan

QUESTION: May we conduct a service at home with less than a minyan? (James Harrison, Memphis TN)ANSWER: We seek a minyan for all public services, but we have not seen this as an absolute requirement. We should make every effort to obtain the ten individuals for services at the house of mourning, at a berit, etc., of course, in keeping with our Reform tradition that both men and women are counted in this quorum. Under unusual circumstances the service may be conducted with less than a minyan, for example an early Talmudic tradition indicated that even seven men were enough (Mas Soferim 10.6; Tos to Meg 23b). This was based on a verse in Judges 5.2 which contains precisely seven words. This tradition was generally not followed and these sources were not mentioned again. Discussed at greater length, both in the Talmud and later tradition, were situations in which nine people were present, but a tenth could simply not be found. Under those emergency conditions one Talmudic authority, Rab Huna, decided that the ark with the Torah could be considered the tenth person, but as other authorities felt that this was improper they discussed whether it would be possible to free a slave in order to obtain a minyan (Ber 47b). Much later Rabenu Tam indicated that a small child still in its cradle or a child carrying a humash would be included in the number necessary for a minyan (Isaac of Vienna Or Zeruah 196; Mahzor Vitri #82). Joseph Caro mentioned the custom but discouraged it while Isserles felt that one could be more permissive in this matter (Shulhan Arukh Orah Hayim 55.4). We can see that there were situations in which communities had great difficulty assembling a minyan; the discussions dealt with public services. When this occurred authorities were willing to be lenient. We, however, in most communities should simply make a more vigorous effort and assemble the necessary minyan, if it is at all possible, for a service whether public or private.June 1989

If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.