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Due to the profound sanctity naturally associated with certain prayers and rituals, it is required that they only be recited/performed in the presence of a "congregation". Such prayers include the Kaddish, barchu, kedusha, Torah reading etc.,
But how many people constitutes a "congregation"?
The smallest group of people to be called a congregation in the Torah were the spies1, concerning whom G-d told Moses:2 "Separate yourselves from amongst this evil congregation."
Since that congregation consisted of ten3 Jewish adult4 men, we infer that a "congregation" must consist of at least ten Jewish adult men.5
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Mitzvot » Prayer » Laws and Customs