Q&A: Principles of Faith
Principles of Faith
Question
Hello Rabbi, I have a question about Maimonides’ principles of faith, and others from the Sages. If there had stood before them a believing Jew who doubted one or several of the principles of faith they listed, but was truly completely committed to Torah and the commandments, would they have thought that such a person was a heretic with no share in the World to Come? Or were statements like these that they made driven by concern about the study of philosophy and a desire to preserve a conservative line of thought?
Answer
This is a psychological question, and I have no way to answer it. I know what they wrote, not what they thought. In my view, probing motives is not relevant in a halakhic discussion. That’s good material for the psychologist’s couch.