[Avodah] Minyan, Including A Child

[Zev Sero]

Note that for those who do allow counting a child, the chumash is an 
unnecessary prop; the minhag has developed to have the child hold a 
chumash in order to impress on him (or her) the seriousness of the 
occasion, but it has no basis in halacha.

Also note that the same heter for including a child also applies to a 
woman.   Either one follows this minority opinion or one does not, but 
if one does then there is no reason to use a boy rather than a girl or 
an adult woman.

PS: In the early '50s, when the L community in Melbourne was just 
getting started, they asked the LR about relying on this heter.  His 
instruction was not to, even if it meant davening without a minyan.


-- 
Zev Sero            A prosperous and healthy 5779 to all
zev at sero.name       Seek Jerusalem's peace; may all who love you prosper