Since people may not be counted by being numbered, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch writes that "it is customary to count [congregants to see whether a minyan of ten is present] by reciting the following verse, which comprises ten words: ’Grant salvation to Your people and bless Your heritage; tend them and exalt them forever.’ " This is somewhat surprising, for Rashi writes explicitly in his Sefer HaPardes that one counts by using a different verse, which also has ten words: "And I, through Your abundant kindness, come into Your house; I bow toward Your holy sanctuary in awe of You."

This change may be explained as follows.

In these last generations that await the approaching footsteps of Mashiach, in a time pervaded by the doubly dense darkness of exile, the very first request of any ten Jews that assemble together is -- that G-d bring about the Redemption. And so it is that even before they begin to daven they plead: "Grant salvation to Your people and bless Your heritage; tend them and exalt them forever!"


From a talk of the Rebbe Shlita on Shabbos Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei, 5743 [1983]