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Do you have any information on the 13 principles of faith?
The following is a list of the 13 principles:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- I believe with perfect faith that G-d is first and last.
- I believe with perfect faith that it is only proper to pray to G-d. One may not pray to anyone or anything else.
- I believe with perfect faith that all the words of the prophets are true.
- 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.
- I believe with perfect faith that the entire Torah that we now have is that which was given to Moses.
- I believe with perfect faith that this Torah will not be changed, and that there will never be another given by G-d.
- I believe with perfect faith that G-d knows all of man’s deeds and thoughts. It is thus written (Psalm 33:15), “He has molded every heart together, He understands what each one does.”
- I believe with perfect faith tha G-d rewards those who keep His commandments, and punishes those who transgress Him.
- I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah. How long it takes, I will await His coming every day.
- I believe with perfect faith that the dead will be brought back to life when G-d wills it to happen.
This is a translation of an abridged version of the principles which are recited daily in the prayer service. An excellent work in English is available called With Perfect Faith by J. David Bleich which elaborates on the principles.
“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.”
How does that go with Genesis 1:26-27?
Also, on the 6th principle, that also means believing what prophet Isaiah said about the Messiah, right?
I hope you’ll be able to answer these questions, as I am very curious about Judaism.
Thank you very much.
G-d has no physical aspects whatsoever. However, as we are beings living in a physical world, the Bible will frequently use physical metaphors to describe G-d so that we are able to grasp some comprehension of how He presents Himself to us.
The verses in Genesis 1:26-27 do not mean that we are created in some form as G-d himself is, as He is not physical. What it means is that we contain in our essence certain G-dlike attributes. These include intelligence, and the ability to make choices.
As far as the 6th principle is concerned. Yes, it certainly includes what the prophet Isaiah said about the Messiah. However, you must understand that translations of Isaiah’s words may not accurately convey his message, and the Jewish interpretation of them may be very different from those of other religions.
Comment by ATR — July 10, 2006 @ 8:30 pm