The 13 Principles of Faith
The 13 Principles of Faith are a classic summary of core Jewish beliefs formulated by Maimonides (the Rambam) in his commentary on the Mishnah. They include belief in one God who is incorporeal and eternal, the truth of prophecy and of Moses' prophecy, the Torah's divine origin, divine knowledge and justice, the coming of the Messiah, and the resurrection of the dead. They became one of the most widely accepted articulations of Jewish belief. They are recited in poetic forms still found in many prayer books.
What are the 13 principles about?
Grouped simply, they affirm:
- About God — that God exists, is one, is incorporeal, is eternal, and alone is to be worshiped.
- About revelation — that prophecy is real, that Moses was the greatest prophet, and that the Torah is divine and unchanging.
- About justice and the future — that God knows human deeds, rewards and punishes, will send the Messiah, and will resurrect the dead.
Where do they appear?
Maimonides drew them from his reading of the tradition as the essential foundations of Jewish belief. They later entered the liturgy in two beloved forms: the Ani Ma'amin ("I believe") statements and the Yigdal hymn, both found in many siddurim. While not every detail is uncontested across Jewish thought, the 13 Principles remain the most famous summary of Jewish faith. (For the broader picture, see what do Jews believe?)
In short: the 13 Principles of Faith are Maimonides' classic summary of core Jewish beliefs — about God, revelation, and the future — echoed in the Ani Ma'amin and the Yigdal hymn.
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