Parshat Shlach – What is a minyan, and who is included or excluded?

In this week’s parsha, twelve spies are sent to scout the Land of Israel. But when ten of them return with fear-driven reports that demoralize the nation, their actions are condemned—not just as a lack of courage, but as a failure of faith and leadership. The Torah refers to them as an "edah"—a congregation. This becomes the source for the concept of minyan.