the number of persons required by Jewish law to be present to conduct a communal religious service, traditionally a minimum of 10 Jewish males over 13 years of age.
such a group.
descended from Minyas.
being or pertaining to a gray, wheel-thrown pottery produced in ancient Greece during the early part of the Helladic period, c2000 b.c.
minyān literally, number
In Judaism, some prayers require a minyan, or a group of at least ten adults. Wedding blessings and prayers for the dead are among those that need a minyan. A minyan is a religious quorum, the minimum number of people required. In Judaism, many prayers can be said alone, but some of them require the sense of community and connection that comes from a cohesive group of people. Saying Kaddish after a loved one’s death is one example. In Orthodox synagogues, a minyan is composed only of men, but in most Jewish communities women are also included. Minyan has a Hebrew root, maneh, "to count or to number."
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It has been more difficult to reach the required minyan, or quorum, of 10 people in order to recite certain prayers.
From New York Times ● Jun. 16, 2023
Asked by a prosecutor if his Tree of Life congregation has been able to gather a minyan as easily since the attack, Weiss said it hasn’t.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 1, 2023
Pil makes sure that every day, morning and night, a minyan — a quorum of 10 men necessary for Orthodox Jews to hold certain prayers — is present.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 28, 2023
And when he died, this hospital chaplain was very concerned he wouldn’t have a minyan.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 1, 2019
Just joining a minyan for evening services or listening to the chazzan’s chanting was like stepping back into my childhood home.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Rabbi Benjamin Lehrfield, formerly of Baron Hirsch and now the rabbi at the Riverdale Minyan in the Bronx, officiated before 260 guests, all but two of whom were fully vaccinated.
From New York Times ● Dec. 3, 2021
“It’s kind of a reunion,” said Citron, a rabbi at Surfside Minyan.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 16, 2021
Minyan Oneg Shabbat: Jewish renewal service and potluck lunch led by Rabbi Mark Novak, an actor, musician and storyteller, in a joy-filled morning of song and silence.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 20, 2015
Minyan Oneg Shabbat will sponsor this event, co-led by Rabbi Mark Novak and mindfulness games leader Klia Bassing.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 6, 2015
"The Minyan is there," and Mattes pointed his finger at the thatched roofs shining in the sunset.
From Yiddish Tales by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
