Ani Maamin 01

30 Aug 2006

First of the Thirteen Principles of the Jewish Faith laid down by the Rambam in the twelfth century: “I believe with complete faith that the Creator, Blessed is His Name, creates and guides all creatures, and that He alone made, makes, and will make everything.”

The above statement consists of three teachings:

1 – The universe had a Creator. The truth is not as taught by false philosophies that the universe just “happened.”

2 – The Creator is Eternal. He is “above Time,” it being one of His creations. He was King, is King, and will be King forever.

3 – a) The Creator Who created the universe in the Past maintains His involvement with it. In fact, there is a continuing Creation, at every moment, in accordance with the following description in our prayers of G-d’s activities, “In His Goodness, He renews daily, perpetually, the work of Creation.” Were this not the case, the universe would immediately lapse into non-existence.

b) Furthermore, we believe that He is concerned with each of His creations, according to the principle of “Hashgachah Peratit,” “Guidance and Concern for each individual” by means of our moral conscience.

c) In addition, He showed His involvement in human history, first and foremost by taking the Children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt , as recorded in the First of the Ten Utterances, “I am HaShem your G-d, Who took you out of the Land of Egypt.” (Shemot 20:2)

The poetic rendition of this “Ani Maamin” is as follows:

“Exalted be the Living G-d and praised, He exists – and His existence is not bounded by time.”