Maimonides' presentation of 13 Principles of Faith have initiated much discussion since their inception, both in terms of each individual principle and in general. The very idea that there were Principles of Faith was in itself challenged. In addition, even as individuals may have agreed with the concept of Principles of Faith, there was further debate as to what criteria should be applied in the determination of whether an idea or concept was a fundamental principle of faith. To a certain extent, these investigations also touched upon the general issue of the role of faith/belief in the determination of the parameters of Orthodoxy.
The discussions that follow touch upon these general issues as well the specific principles themselves.
For review:
ReplyDelete1. I believe with perfect faith that G-d is the Creator and Ruler of all things. He alone has made, does make, and will make all things.
2. I believe with perfect faith that G-d is One. There is no unity that is in any way like His. He alone is our G-d He was, He is, and He will be.
3. I believe with perfect faith that G-d does not have a body. physical concepts do not apply to Him. There is nothing whatsoever that resembles Him at all.
4. I believe with perfect faith that G-d is first and last.
5. I believe with perfect faith that it is only proper to pray to G-d. One may not pray to anyone or anything else.
6. I believe with prefect faith that all the words of the prophets are true.
7. I believe with perfect faith that the prophecy of Moses is absolutely true. He was the chief of all prophets, both before and after Him.
8. I believe with perfect faith that the entire Torah that we now have is that which was given to Moses.
9. I believe with perfect faith that this Torah will not be changed, and that there will never be another given by G-d.
10. I believe with perfect faith that G-d knows all of man's deeds and thoughts. It is thus written (Psalm 33:15), molded every heart together, He understands what each one does.
11. I believe with perfect faith tha G-d rewards those who keep His commandments, and punishes those who transgress Him.
12. I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah. How long it takes, I will await His coming every day.
13. I believe with perfect faith that the dead will be brought back to life when G-d wills it to happen.
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ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that the usual English summary of the Ikkarim uses the words 'I believe with perfect faith...'. What does it mean to have perfect faith? Is Man capable of perfect faith? Or perfect ...anything? The English formulation was, in part, a response to Christian expressions of faith, such as the Catholic catechism (http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm) as well as some Protestant sources. Christians often talk about the need for perfect faith, without which, one is consigned to eternal damnation. But do we, as Jews, expect people to have the ability to achieve a perfect faith? Is there a source for this expectation?
ReplyDeleteIn truth, this English summary is a translation of the "Ani Ma'amin" which is a seperate work based on the Ikkarim but is actually not a work by Rambam or an exact presentation of the latter's Ikkarim. There are some differences in Rambam's formulation of the principles and the formulation of the author of the Ani Ma'amin. One, and I don't think it is simply a matter of linguistics, is that Rambam did not use the term "perfect faith". While the questions raised on the view of "perfect faith" within Torah thought would still be applicable in responding to the author of the Ani Ma'amin, I think that Rambam would be more skeptical of the term.
ReplyDeleteIN THE CREDO ASKING DOES G-D HAVE EMOTIONS ?????
ReplyDeleteyes G-D DOES HAVE EMOTIONS REMEMBER WHEN HE SAID PUT NO OTHER gods BEFORE ME. FOR I,M A JEALOUS G-D VISITING INIQUITIES TO THE THIRD AND FOUTH GENERATIONS. IS NOT JEALOUSY AN EMOTION. REMEMBER WHEN G-D BROUGHT US THROUGH THE WILDERNESS AND WE SAID WE WHERE HUNGRY!!! IT WOULD BE BETTER IF G-D HAD LEFT US IN EGYPT. AND G-D BECAME ANGRY . THIS IS AN EMOTION. DON,T LET A MAN TELL YOU OR WOMEN TELL YOU ANYTHING ABOUT G-D LOOK FOR YOUR SELF IN THE TORAH HE SPECKS TO YOU AND TELLS HIMSELF EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW. BECAUSE MAN WILL TWIST MISINTRUPED A THING . BUT READ FOR YOUSELF G-D HIMSELF WILL REVEAL THE TRUTH TO YOU./