Minyan
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈmɪn.jən/
- Homophones: minion
Origin
From Hebrew ×žÖ´× Ö°×™Ö¸×Ÿ (minyán, "number, count, quorum").
Full definition of minyan
Noun
- The minimum number of ten adult Jews required for a communal religious service.
- 2009, Charles London, Far from Zion. page 256So without my visit, if Simon didn't attend, a minyan would be hard to come by.
- 2010, Ari Goldman, Living a Year of Kaddish: A Memoir, page 27As mourners cannot attend synagogue during shiva, a minyan gathers for morning, afternoon, and evening services in their home.
- (by extension) A Jewish prayer service.
- 2009, Charles Simon, Building a Successful Volunteer Culture, page 137New people assume leadership positions as required and stay around for as long as the minyan meets their needs.
- 2012, Andrea Lieber, The Essential Guide to Jewish Prayer and PracticesTefillin are not used on Sabbaths and holidays, so unless you attend a minyan on weekday mornings or grew up in a home where men prayed daily, this practice may be unfamiliar to you.