Maimonides: 13 Principles of Faith
Maimonides' theological principles were never unanimously embraced. By Daniel Septimus The following is largely based on Marc Shapiro's "Maimonides' Thirteen Principles: The Last Word in Jewish Theology?" published in The Torah U-Madda Journal, volume 4 (1993). Maimonides wrote his Thirteen Principles of Faith in his introduction to the tenth chapter of Talmud Sanhedrin. According to Maimonides, anyone who denies--or even doubts--any of these principles is a heretic with no place in the World to Come. Yet, these principles were hardly undisputed. Many scholars who preceded and succeeded Maimonides held contrary beliefs. Below, is a list of the Thirteen Principles with references to some of these divergent beliefs. Unless otherwise noted, all the scholars mentioned are medieval authorities. The Principles Principle 1 God exists; God is perfect in every way, eternal, and the cause of all that exists. All other beings depend upon God for their existence. Objections S...