Q&A: Counting Someone for a Minyan
Counting Someone for a Minyan
Question
I have a lot of doubts about the existence of God and about whether the Torah really came from Heaven. Can I be counted for a minyan? I always go to pray with a minyan, and sometimes we have only ten, and I try to be careful about observing all the commandments (except for one that is very, very hard for me).
Answer
Everyone has doubts about everything. There is no absolutely certain belief. Still, you need to decide what your position is on the matter. If you go to pray, then apparently you think He exists (of course not with 100% certainty). If so, you count.
Discussion on Answer
I don’t know what it means that you don’t want to stop. Do you think it’s improper to do it, but you have an urge? Or do you think that the Holy One, blessed be He, did not command it? In short, how is this different from the other commandments that you do observe?
I think it’s improper to do it, but I have an urge.
So why do you see this as denying that the Torah is from Heaven? Everything is fine. Everyone has urges.
If I commit a transgression and I don’t really want to stop, does that mean I’m denying that the Torah is from Heaven? Because of that I’m worried that I can’t be counted for a minyan, since I violate a prohibition and don’t really want to stop.