Counting a child as the tenth for a minyan

Hi,

[Note: This topic is somewhat controversial.]

In a case of great need, such as where there will absolutely be no minyan otherwise, one may rely on the minority view which accepts a minor male as the tenth for a minyan, ideally if the male is already twelve, and he should sit beside a Torah which is placed on a table.

There are two caveats:

1. This may be used for things which require a minyan rabbinically, but not for things which require a minyan biblically. Therefore, the chazan should wait while the rest of the minyan davens shemoneh esreih, and then start his once they have finished. This prevents the biblical issue of berachah l'vatalah (reciting a berachah in vain); only kedushah and kaddish and the berachot for kriat haTorah remain, which are rabbinic.

2. The sefer torah should not be held by the child, since then the minyan could not sit down.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:18)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai