When one puts in maximum effort, Hashem takes over and completes the task. Please read this amazing story.

During the pre-Sukkos days, the “daled minim shuk” in Yerushalayim is in frenzy mode with thousands of people massed together shopping for their daled minim. Alongside the myriad makeshift booths, many tables were lined with expert poskim available to answer the many different shaalos regarding the kashrus of the various minim for sale. The lines of people waiting to pose questions for the poskim, seemed endless. The vendors realized that if action was not taken to help alleviate this stressful situation, there would be a mass exodus of potential customers, resulting in huge losses of revenue. It was decided to post signs instructing the crowds that only questions of halachic nature would be accepted. Any queries regarding the quality of the various minim which do not affect the halachic status, would not be accepted. This new system would greatly reduce the volume of people waiting and ease the overall situation. As the oilam familiarized themselves with the new system, things began to flow smoothly and the lines were drastically reduced. Along came a Yid holding three lulavim asking the Rav to render an opinion about the quality of his lulavim. Before the Rav had an opportunity to direct the fellow’s attention to the posters, which clearly stated that only questions of halachic validity would be accepted, the man began with the following introduction. “I recently arrived from behind the ‘Iron Curtain ’where, although I knew I was Jewish, I was totally disconnected from Yiddishkeit. After many years of living under Communist rule, I finally arrived here in the Holy Land and slowly became aware of Hashem and His Torah. My feelings toward Him intensified and so I began the journey of becoming shomer Torah u’Mitzvos. Honored Rav, since I am totally ignorant in the requisite halachos pertaining to lulav, I am asking you to please tell me if my lulav choices meet the halachic requirements for myself and my two sons.”

Upon hearing his emotional words, the Rav felt compelled to fulfill his request. After careful examination, it became apparent that the selections were not just beautiful in appearance but met the most stringent guidelines in halacha. The Rav was completely taken aback. How was it possible to have made such perfect choices while professing total ignorance of the requirements? What are the probabilities of such a coincidence?

Upon hearing the good news, the man thanked him and told him that he would soon return after choosing his esrogim. Not more than five minutes passed, and the fellow returned with three esrogim in hand. The esrogim, each one, were exquisite. They were impeccably clean and perfect in color, shape and size. Astounding! Incomprehensible! The Rav surmised that this man must have some trick up his sleeve and asked him for an explanation.

The man began, “As I mentioned previously, I emigrated from Russia totally ignorant of my Jewish heritage. After experiencing the sweetness of Torah, I made a concerted decision to adhere faithfully to the Torah and undertook to master the entire Shulchan Aruch. However, I have not yet reached the section dealing with the laws of lulav and esrog. Upon approaching the shuk I cried out to Hashem, “You are familiar with me from my years spent in the Soviet Union. I was not successful in getting to know You there, through no fault of my own. Soon after arriving on these shores, I made every effort to learn and observe all the tenets of Your holy Torah. You know, Hashem, that I have made my utmost effort and I have not yet familiarized myself with the halachos of daled minim. On the other hand, You recognize my yearning to fulfill this mitzvah in its entirety. Therefore, I implore You to please help me select the finest ones”. Upon completing my tefiloh, I entered the shuk and took the first three lulavim that were shown to me and came to solicit your opinion. Upon hearing your commendation, I realized that Hashem heeded my tefiloh and, subsequently, went to choose my esrogim. Once again my request was granted”.

The Rav, overcome with emotion, declared, “If Hashem makes the choice, it has to be the finest and it is for the finest people that Hashem makes the choice”.

This special person taught us some valuable lessons. If one performs to the extent of his ability, Hashem will supplement the shortfall. When a person davens in earnest, Hashem is willing and ready to assist. We are gifted with a potpourri of mitzvos over the span of Sukkos. Let us make the utmost effort and remember - perfection is not the objective. Effort is the goal…

Can a child count towards a minyan?

A minority view among the Rishonim holds that a boy who is at least six years old may serve as the tenth “man” of a minyan. Shulchon Aruch, however, rules according to the majority view that a minyan must have ten adults. Rema holds that some congregations have the custom to be lenient under pressing circumstances. Some have the minhag that a child in this case should hold a Sefer Torah during davening. During Shemoneh Esreh, he should put it down on a table and hold onto the handles. The poskim disagree about whether the custom to rely on a child for a minyan extends to Kriyas HaTorah as well.

סעיף ד וס"ק כד; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 32-33

For which parts of davening can a child be included in a minyan?

A child may only be included in a minyan (according to the lenient custom) for the obligatory parts of davening. These include Borchu through Kaddish Shalem of Shacharis, Kaddish at the beginning of Mincha through Kaddish after Chazoras Hashatz of Mincha, and Borchu through Kaddish Shalem of Ma’ariv. The mourners’ Kaddish may not be said if a child is completing the minyan. Some say that if the minyan is counting on a child, the chazan should not daven the quiet Shemoneh Esrei. Instead, his recitation of Chazoras Hashatz should be his first and only davening. This will allow him to avoid making many brochos in vain according to the majority’s view that a child cannot be counted in the minyan.  

ס"ק כד; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 33

Can an onen be part of a minyan?

If one of a person’s close relatives (from the seven categories discussed previously) passes away, the bereaved is an onen until the relative is buried. Since the onen is involved in the burial of his relative, he is exempt from other mitzvos. If, however, the deceased is in another city and the relative does not plan to travel there for the burial, he may choose to do mitzvos. At the time that an onen is exempt from mitzvos, he cannot be counted towards a minyan (unless he lives in another city and has the option to do mitzvos). On Shabbos and Yom Tov, an onen may be part of a minyan. An avel is permitted to join a minyan.

ס"ק כד ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 37

• If a davar shebekedusha began with a minyan, it may be completed even if some people leave and there is no longer a minyan. At least six people must remain in order to continue.

• If people leave in the middle of Chazoras Hashatz, the chazan may continue until after Kaddish Shaleim after Ashrei and U’va L’tzion. Birchas Kohanim, however, is not said in this case.

• The Achronim discuss whether a golem who was created by humans (through the Sefer Yetzirah) can be counted in a minyan. Their conclusion is that he may not. Some say that a golem is not considered Jewish or even human.

• Can a person who will not be responding to Kaddish be counted in a minyan?

• What level of understanding must a person have to be counted in a minyan?

• Can everyone in shul say Kaddish?