Here are the traditional 13 principles of Jewish faith, as formulated by Moses Maimonides, also known as the
"Rambam" (1138-1204):
- Existence of God. God is the creator and ruler of all things. He alone has made, makes, and will make all things.
- God's unity. God is one. There is no unity that is in any way like His. He alone is God. He was, He is, and He will be.
- God's spirituality and incorporeality. God does not have a body. Physical concepts do not apply to Him. Nothing resembles Him at all.
- God's eternity. God is first, and He is last.
- God alone should be the object of worship. It is only proper to pray to God. One may not pray to anyone or anything else.
- Revelation through God's prophets. All the words of the prophets are true.
- Preeminence of Moses among prophets. The prophecy of Moses is true. He was the chief of all prophets, both before and after.
- God's law given at Mount Sinai. The entire Torah that we now have is that which was given to Moses.
- Immutability of the Torah as God's law. This Torah will not be changed, and that there will never be another given by God.
- God's foreknowledge of human actions. God knows all of man's deeds and thoughts, as it is written, "He has molded every heart together, He understands what each one does." (Psalms:33)
- Reward of good and retribution of evil. God rewards those who keep His commandments and punishes those who transgress them.
- Coming of the Jewish messiah. However long it takes, we await his coming every day.
- Resurrection of the dead. The dead will be brought back to life when God wills it.