Thirteen Principles of Faith

creed by Maimonides

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July 14, 2026

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The Thirteen Articles of Faith are a creed outlining the fundamental tenets of Judaism, as formulated by the 12th-century philosopher Moses Maimonides. Maimonides presented these articles in his commentary on the Mishna as a way to clarify true concepts of God and faith, aiming to prevent error. While Maimonides intended them as dogma, his formulation was a personal interpretation and has been subject to debate and revision over time. The articles were later incorporated into the hymn Yigdal, which is included in many Jewish prayer services.12

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creed
Judaism
…most enduring has been Maimonides’ Thirteen Principles of Faith, but these have never become formally binding. The Reform movement’s doctrinal declarations, such as the Pittsburgh Platform (1885), have been without lasting influence. The reason for this paucity of creeds is that Jewish identity has been chiefly defined in terms of…
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…most enduring has been Maimonides’ Thirteen Principles of Faith, but these have never become formally binding. The Reform movement’s doctrinal declarations, such as the Pittsburgh Platform (1885), have been without lasting influence. The reason for this paucity of creeds is that Jewish identity has been chiefly defined in terms of…
Read More