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The Declaration of Faith for the Am D’var (UTOM)

Preamble:

In order to create a Union that is unique and without ambiguity, but, yet differentiates ourselves from other established organizations (religions), what we at UTOM calls “Hebrewism”. The following is the 13 Principles of Maimonides. We hold true to these 13 Principles but, we wish to declare our faith in a more defined way. So below the original declaration, there will be placed an (*) stating both our understanding of RamBam’s statements and any Masoretic (found in the Torah only) Text references, to reinforce that our interpretation of Maimonides’ Principles are based on that Canon.

The Thirteen Principles of Maimonides

1. I/We believe with perfect faith that our CREATOR is THE Creator and Ruler of all things. He alone has made, does make, and will make all things. * HE is not only THE CREATOR but is the sustainer of creation. HE did not create and then step out of the picture. HE is involved. HE is in all things consistent and unchanging (Numbers 23:19).

2.  I/We believe with perfect faith that our CREATOR is ONE: (non-composite nor a unity of 2 or more). There is no unity that is in any way like HIS. HE alone is our G-d HE was, HE is, and HE will be (unchanging). * HE is an absolute singularity and is indivisible at any level (Deuteronomy 6:4)

3.  I/We believe with perfect faith that our CREATOR does not have a body. Physical concepts do not apply to HIM. There is nothing whatsoever that resembles HIM at all. * HE is infinite and creation cannot express HIM in HIS entirety. All of mankind combined with all past ancestors cannot fully comprehend nor fully understand HIM. Thus at best creation is a subset expression of our creator thus HE cannot be in physical form. (Numbers 23:19)

4.  I/We believe with perfect faith that our CREATOR is first and last. * HE is without end is the meaning of “first and last”. Creation has a beginning and an end – HE does not (Exodus 3:13-15, 32:13, Job 38:33).

5. I/We believe with perfect faith that it is only proper to pray to our CREATOR. One may not pray to anyone or anything else. * HE is to be sovereign and thus only HE is to be glorified and worshipped by creation. HIS will and standard (Torah) are to be our ultimate guide. Prayers are a means to assessing ourselves (Teshuva) to that standard and guide (Torah). Deuteronomy 30:11-19 tells us that HIS commandments do not require intermediaries to understand HIS will or HIS instruction (Torah). Leviticus 5:11-13, 18:21, 20:2-5, Numbers 16:47, Job 33:26-33).

6. I/We believe with perfect faith that all the words of the prophets are true. * A Prophet does not speak on one’s own authority or of self. They are spokesmen of G-d only. They uphold Torah (Deuteronomy 13).

7.  I/We believe with perfect faith that the prophecy of Moses is absolutely true. He was the chief of all prophets, both before and after Him. * Moshe (Moses) was charged with the giving, explaining, and implementation of Torah via G-d's guidance. Torah is the cornerstone of our faith and as such no one else can or has been given such an important task.

8. I/We believe with perfect faith that the entire Torah that we now have is that which was given to Moses. * The Torah alone as given to Israel and the stranger (“Ger”) is trustworthy and can be relied upon as being true and complete from its original form. In Numbers 15:15, it is shown that All (Israel, and Ger (stranger) who take hold of the Torah are blessed, and those who reject it are cursed. It is a tree of life for those who take hold of it. Regardless of our birthright (Proverbs 3:17-19).

9. I/We believe with perfect faith that this Torah will not be changed, and that there will never be another given by G-d. * Torah was given as a perpetual and forever truth that will not be changed or altered (Genesis 17:7, 17:18-20, Numbers 18:18-20). To do so would reveal a G-d of subjectiveness and incompleteness rather than a G-d of precision, and completeness. Who is lacking nothing (Numbers 23:19). The Torah is a single eternal and complete covenant without dispensation (Genesis 8:20, 17:6-8, Numbers 18:18-20, Deuteronomy 12:31-32).

10.  I/We believe with perfect faith that G-d knows all of man's deeds and thoughts. It is thus written (Psalm 33:15), "He has molded every heart together, and He understands what each one does." * No deed, motive, or thought escapes His attention. We are accountable for all we do even in private no one or thing can take our place. No one (Messiah, Christ, Prophet, or a man) can take away another's sin (Exodus 32:30-35, Deuteronomy 24:16).

11. I/We believe with perfect faith that G-d rewards those who keep His commandments, and punishes those who transgress Him. * The Torah is not optional when defining righteousness. Rather it is a gift given by HIM. We can choose to accept it and follow or not. However, we will be rewarded or not due to such a decision (Deuteronomy 30:11-30).

12. I/We believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah. How long it takes, I will wait for His coming every day. * Messiah is available at anytime. But we as a people are not. Our preparation as a community will determine that time. That time maybe come, now or later. In spite of that we are to prepare for that eventuality. Messiah (Moshiach) is not a person per say, but, is the body of Kohl Israel. We see this in Jeremiah 31: 1-36. It is both a singular entity and a "body" of people. It is not a "Christ", but an Anointing for THE CREATOR's purpose. One comes in every generation to point us back to Torah, and G-d (Deuteronomy 18:15-16).

13. I/We believe with perfect faith that the dead will be brought back to life when (past, present, future) G-d wills it to happen in a manner He prefers (resurrection of the dead, reincarnation through future generation. Passing on parts of ancestral souls to offspring, transmigration ...). * Our purpose is not to live for the here and now but to live with our children's future in mind. As we know of Abraham was not concerned with hell or death, but for the propagation of his "Kind" (Genesis 15:2). The concept of resurrection of the dead is not explicitly found in the Torah, but the propagation of our offspring and our righteousness, is found there. We are immortal in our children and our work of Mitzvot (Deuteronomy 30:11-14).