The Torah portion of Terumah discusses the mitzvah of building a sanctuary, as the verse says, “Make a sanctuary for Me so that I may dwell among them.” This mitzvah was fulfilled successively by Moshe when he built the Mishkan (temporary sanctuary) in the desert, by Joshua when he built the Mishkan in Shilo, by King Solomon when he built the first Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) in Jerusalem, and by Zrubavel when he built the second Beit HaMikdash. With G-d’s help, this mitzvah will soon be fulfilled by Moshiach when he builds the Third Beit HaMikdash.
Although the Beit HaMikdash is not standing at this time, we can still fulfill this mitzvah by building a Shul (synagogue), according to the Zohar. This leads us to the topic of praying with a minyan (quorum of ten Jewish men) which is the primary function of a Shul.
The Obligation
The Alter Rebbe (Rabbi Shneor Zalman of Liady, author of the Tanya) writes, “Although prayer with a congregation (minyan) is a Rabbinic commandment, it surpasses that of a positive Torah commandment since [in such prayer] G‑d’s name is sanctified in public. This is reflected by the fact that it is permitted to violate a positive Torah commandment and free one’s slave in order for him to complete [a minyan of] ten.”
Especially Important Nowadays
Rabbi Eliezer Papu (author of the Peleh Yo’etz) writes, “In this orphaned generation it is nearly impossible to concentrate throughout the prayers, even for a person whose occupation is Torah study and who is involved in G-d-fearing (matters) during the entire day. Certainly this applies to the masses of people who are ‘drunk but not from wine’ [i.e., they are distracted and cannot concentrate properly]. As such, we can only rely on praying with a congregation (minyan) since we have been promised that ‘The Almighty G-d will not reject the prayers of the congregation.’”
“Therefore it’s proper for every person to give his life (i.e., put in the maximum effort) to pray with a congregation whenever he’s in a place that has a group of (Jewish) people. One should never miss this.”
Segulot
There are many segulot (propitious and spiritual blessings) associated with praying with a minyan. Here are some:
- The prayers of a congregation are never turned away empty-handed (unanswered), as the verse says, “For what great nation is there that has a god so close at hand as is the L-rd, our G-d, whenever we call.”
- When is a time of [Divine] favor? It is at the time when the congregation is praying.
- Such prayer ascends directly to G-d and doesn’t need interceding angels to elevate it.
- One who prays with the congregation can be assured that his parnasah (livelihood) will be plentiful and easily accomplished on a daily basis. In addition, he will have success in his Torah study. This is alluded to in the verse וַעֲבַדְת ֶּ֗ ם א ֵ֚ ת ה אֱל -ה יכ ֶ֔ם וּב רַַ֥ךְ א ת־לַחְמְךָ֖ וְא ת־מ ימ ֶ֑יך וַהֲסִר תִַ֥י מַחֲל ָ֖ה מִקִרְב ך ָ (And you will serve the L-rd, your G-d, and He will bless your bread and your water, and I will remove illness from among you).” This can be interpreted to mean “When you serve G-d by praying with the congregation, I will bless your (physical and spiritual) sustenance. All of your needs will be provided so that there will be nothing left to pray for.”
- Praying with the congregation can annul all difficult and negative decrees. This is alluded to the in the verse בְרׇב־ע ַ֥ם הַדְרַת־מ ֶ֑ל ךְ (a large crowd is glory to the King) which can be interpreted to mean, “When there is a large crowd (gathering to pray), the King changes (the decrees).”
Praying with a Minyan – Amidah Plus Bonuses
The most important part of the prayers that should be said with a minyan is the Amidah. In addition, by saying Shema with a minyan (where the chazzan repeats the last three words of Shema), one reaches the necessary 248 words that correspond to the number of organs in the (male) body. Praying with a minyan also enables one to recite Kedushah, Barchu, respond to Kaddish, and hear the reading of the Torah. In Israel and in Sefardic congregations in the Diaspora, it also enables one to receive (or give) the daily blessing of the Kohanim.
Praying before the Congregation
The Talmud says that when one is with a congregation they may not pray (the Amidah) before the congregation prays. The Orchot Chaim (by Rabbi Aharon HaKohen of 14th-century Lunil, France) explains that it’s disrespectful to the congregation to pray before them.
Some Details
- If one is praying at home (for whatever reason), one should try to pray at the same time as the congregation since this is considered an auspicious time. Nevertheless, one who is weak and wants to pray before that time so that they may eat earlier, may do so.
- If the final time of prayer is approaching (zman tefillah), one may pray before the congregation.
- If one is ill or is under other pressures that are beyond one’s control, he may pray before the congregation does, even if he is in shul.
- One who is weak and wishes to pray so that he could eat may not pray before the congregation when he is in shul. In addition, once he is in shul, he may not leave in order to pray earlier elsewhere. (If he never came to shul, he may pray before the time that the congregation prays if he is weak, as mentioned above.) Some opinions hold that in such a case one may leave the shul and pray elsewhere before the congregation.
May Hashem Answer our Prayers in an Auspicious Hour and Grant us a Complete Victory with the Safe Return of the Hostages! Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom UMevorach!
Copyright 2024 by Rabbi Aryeh Citron
