I don't know if anyone knows why 10 for a minyan. Personal opinion is
that as people with 10 fingers, 10 represents a whole composed of parts.
The way we know it is supposed to be 10 is from a gzeirah shava (comparison
of terms) based on the word "eidah" (congregation) used in "eidah hara hazeh"
(this evil congregation) to refer to the 10 spies who reported evil of Canaan.
This lends meaning to the phrase "hivdilu mitoch ha'eidah" (seperate from
amongst the congregation) to inform use that to be "mitoch" (from amongst)
means within a group of 10.
Finally, the verse reads "vinikdashti misoch Bnei Yisrael" (I will be
sanctified), refering to sanctifying Hashem. So, to sanctify Hashem requires
a "toch", an amongst, ie 10.
So, certain prayers aimed at declaring G-d's sanctity require 10.
See Megillah 23b where R. Chiyah explains this chain of drash in the opposite
direction than I chose. See also Sanhedrin 2a which seems to take the idea
that
eidah = 10 for granted.
Shanah tovah umtukah!
mi
-- Micha Berger 201 916-0287 Help free Ron Arad, held by Syria 3512 days! micha@aishdas.org (16-Oct-86 - 9-Jul-96) <a href=news:alt.religion.aishdas>Orthodox Judaism: Torah, Avodah, Chessed</a> <a href=http://aishdas.org>AishDas Society's Home Page</a>