בס"ד
Catechism For Jewish Children
By Isaac Leeser.
Appendix IIThe Jewish Creed |
1. What do you call a creed? Those doctrines which are the foundation of any system of religion: in other words, those ideas of belief which one admits as the followers of a particular faith. 2. Have we any ideas peculiar to us, as followers of the Mosaic Law? We have; and upon the admission thereof rests the distinction which divides us from other nations. 3. Is the belief in this creed alone sufficient to insure salvation? By no means; we should believe and confide in the truth of religious doctrines; but without acts to demonstrate the existence of such faith, our life is not pleasing to God, who demands of us active exertions in his holy service. 4. What is then the use of a creed? The firm faith in and admission of acknowledged truths will best promote a correct course of life; for by being impressed with holy feelings we will be best able to withstand temptations and the inclination to sin inherent in man. 5. Which are the chief doctrines already given?
6. Are there not some modifications, or more extensive ideas, connected with these chief doctrines of Faith? There are several, which have been already partly mentioned. 7. Into how many divisions is then the whole Jewish Creed divided, as generally accepted among us? Into thirteen, which are generally called the Thirteen Fundamental Principles of the Jewish Faith, because upon the admission of them we found the truth and the justness of our lives as Israelites faithful to the law of God. 8. Please to recite them in the order in which they are found in our books.
9. Why do you believe in these doctrines? Because they are all founded upon the revealed word of God, as we have shown by the various texts from the Bible which we have quoted before. In short, our creed is based upon the truth of God, and in confidence upon his wisdom and goodness, and in reliance upon his mercy and justice, which, like His existence, are everlasting. THE END |
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