Organized Post: The 13 Principles of Jewish Faith (Part II)
Below is a structured and formatted version of the second part of the content about the 13 Principles of Jewish Faith as compiled by Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon (Maimonides, or the Rambam). The content has been organized into clear sections with headings, lists, and emphasis to improve readability using markdown syntax.
Recap and Introduction to Part II
The great codifier of Torah law and Jewish philosophy, Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon Ztz”L (known as "Maimonides" or "The Rambam"), compiled the Shloshah Asar Ikkarim, or the "Thirteen Fundamental Principles" of the Jewish faith. These principles are essential for maintaining faithfulness to the Boreh (The Creator), the G-d of Abraham, Yitzchak, and Ya'akov. Derived from the Torah, Maimonides refers to them as "the fundamental truths of our religion and its very foundations." This is the second part of the series, covering Principles X to XIII.
- Link to Part I: See the First Part Here
- Purpose: To continue exploring the remaining principles of Jewish faith (Emunah).
Detailed Explanation of Principles X to XIII
Principle X: All Human Doings Are Accounted For
- Core Belief: G-d knows the actions and thoughts of all humans and does not neglect them. He frustrates the plans of the wicked while protecting the poor, widows, and destitute.
- Key Points:
- Hashem watches over the alien, sustains the fatherless, and thwarts the ways of the wicked (Psalm 94:3-13).
- The wicked may try to hide their actions in darkness, but G-d sees all.
- The Psalmist questions how long wickedness will persist, highlighting the arrogance of those who believe G-d does not see or understand their deeds.
- G-d, as the Creator of ears and eyes, surely hears and sees; as the instructor of nations, He corrects and knows the vanity of human thoughts.
- Blessed are those whom G-d instructs through His law, granting them rest until the wicked face judgment.
Principle XI: Those Who Obey the Complete Torah Will Be Rewarded by G-d
- Core Belief: G-d rewards those who obey the Mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah and punishes those who violate its prohibitions.
- Importance of Torah Study:
- Obeying both the Written and Oral Torah brings great merit to the Tzaddik (Righteous).
- Torah study itself surpasses the merit of all Mitzvot combined, as stated in Tractate Shabbat 127a: "The study of the Torah surpasses them all."
- Rabbi R.H. Isaacs notes that Torah study is rewarded because it leads to performing commandments, but the sages emphasize its intrinsic value.
- The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-8) commands constant Torah study: "Speak of it when you lie down and when you rise up."
- G-d instructed Yehoshua to meditate on Torah day and night for success (Joshua 1:8), and King David advised Solomon similarly (I Kings 2:3).
- Impact of Study:
- Torah study fosters a closer relationship with G-d and "sweetens" life, symbolized by children learning Hebrew letters with honey.
- Rabbi Meir states that studying Torah for its own sake (Torah Lishma) merits many blessings, endears one to G-d and humanity, and elevates one above creation.
- Torah Lishma is a lofty level of Divine service, offering a glimpse of sublime glory beyond everyday teachings.
- Ultimate Purpose:
- G-d’s will is to do good to mankind, providing a world to serve Him and earn closeness in the World to Come.
- Torah study uniquely brings immediate closeness to G-d, allowing understanding of His views and values, fostering a deep relationship.
- The entire purpose of creation is fulfilled by such a person, as they attain closeness to G-d (Derech Hashem by R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto).
Principle XII: The Mashiach Will Not Fail to Come
- Core Belief: The days of the Messiah (Mashiach) will come, as prophesied: "A Redeemer will come to Tziyon" (Isaiah 59:20). Belief in the Mashiach is fundamental to traditional Judaism.
- Messianic Idea in Judaism:
- Included in daily prayers like the Shemoneh Esrei (recited three times daily), praying for ingathering of exiles, justice, end of wickedness, rebuilding Jerusalem, restoring King David’s line, and Temple service.
- While not explicitly mentioned in the Torah (to ensure accessibility to all), references to "Acharit Ha-Yamim" (End of Days) imply the Mashiach’s era.
- Mashiach means "anointed one," referring to a king anointed in the End of Days, not a savior from sin.
- Role of the Mashiach:
- A political leader from King David’s lineage (Jeremiah 23:5), often called Mashiach Ben David.
- Well-versed in Jewish law, observant, charismatic, a military leader, and a righteous judge (Isaiah 11:2-5, Jeremiah 33:15).
- A human being, not a god or supernatural entity.
- In every generation, a potential Mashiach is born; if the time is right, they fulfill the role; if not, another arises.
- Events and Expectations:
- Preceding the Mashiach are Hevlei Mashiach (birth pangs), marked by war and suffering (Ezekiel 38:16, Zechariah 14).
- The Mashiach will bring political and spiritual redemption, returning Jews to Israel, restoring Jerusalem, establishing a world government centered in Israel, rebuilding the Temple, and enforcing Jewish law (Isaiah 11:11-12, Jeremiah 33:18).
- Olam Ha-Ba (The World to Come):
- Post-Mashiach era, also called Olam Ha-Ba, characterized by peace, coexistence, and recognition of the Jewish G-d and religion as the only true ones (Isaiah 2:4, Zechariah 14:9).
- Some suggest natural laws may change (e.g., predators becoming peaceful, supernatural abundance), while others view this as allegory for peace (Isaiah 11:6-9).
- All Jews will return from exile, the Jubilee law will be reinstated, and sin will cease (Zephaniah 3:13).
- Sacrifices will be limited to thanksgiving offerings, as expiatory ones will no longer be needed.
- Multiple Mashiachs:
- Mashiach (anointed one) applies to many throughout Tanakh (e.g., Abraham, King David, King Shaul), as seen in "Do not touch my Mashiachs" (Psalm 105:15).
- Future Mashiach will be a Jewish leader anointed as king, alongside others anointed for various roles in G-d’s Kingdom (Obadiah 1:21).
Principle XIII: There Will Be a Resurrection of the Dead
- Core Belief: There will be a literal resurrection of the dead, prophesied in the Tanakh and explicitly in Daniel 12. The Tzaddikim (righteous) will be revived to inherit the world and receive rewards (Psalm 37:28-29).
- Nature of Resurrection:
- The resurrected will return as they died (e.g., blind or clothed), and G-d will heal them afterward (Midrash Rabbah, Genesis 95).
- The very body that died will be revived from the luz bone (a miniscule, indestructible bone in the upper spine), sustained by the Melaveh Malka meal on Saturday night.
- Timeline of Redemption (Geulah):
- Order: First, the Mashiach comes and rebuilds the Holy Temple in Jerusalem; then, Kibbutz Galuyot (ingathering of exiles) occurs; finally, Kiriat Ha-Metim (resurrection) happens 40 years after the return to Israel.
- Exceptions: Tzaddikim and Hassidim (saintly righteous) will resurrect immediately upon the Mashiach’s arrival.
- Sequence: Dead buried in Israel rise first, followed by those in the Diaspora, then the generation from Egypt, and lastly the Patriarchs and Matriarchs (delayed for the joy of seeing their children alive and well).
- Priority: More righteous individuals resurrect first; among them, Torah scholars precede those focused on Mitzvot.
Additional Resources and Navigation
- Link to Part I: Back to the First Part
- Related Readings:
- Seclusion with Women
- Shulchan Aruch
- Family Purity
- Shemirat Ha'Brit
- In the Shadow of Mashiach
Bibliography
- Moshe Ben Maimon (Rambam, Maimonides): Mishneh Torah
- Abraham Ibn Ezra
- ArtScroll Series (Siddur)
- Torah: Exodus 20:2; Tanakh: Isaiah 43:10-11
- Resources: Chabad Moshiach 101, Judaism 101, Aish, Torah.com
This organized version structures the second part of the content into clear, digestible sections, maintaining the original depth and intent. If further adjustments or specific focuses are needed, please let me know!
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