1. We affirm Ani Ma’amin, the Thirteen Principals of Jewish Faith, to be a true and accurate reflection of our faith in HaShem and His Messiah. We embrace Halachah and the traditions of the Jewish people as instructive and informative to normative Jewish life.
   
   

2. We believe in one Deity, the Mighty One of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Ein Sof  (the Infinite One), who is Spirit and exists from all eternity. The world was created by Him through the means of the Divine Torah, Word,  Wisdom and the Ruach HaKodesh (Spirit of HaShem). We agree with Chazal  (the sages and rabbis of old) that this same Ruach HaKodesh is also the spirit of the Messiah.
   
   

3. We believe that mankind was created Betzelem Elohim (in His image and likeness) but through disobedience our dominant Yetzer Ha Tov (good inclination) was displaced by the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination) and mankind became subject to the power of death. We also believe that we have been given the power to overcome the Yetzer Hara. Bereisheet/Genesis 4:7
   
   

4. We believe that the Adam Kadmon  (the mystical Son of G-d) - the eternal Word and Wisdom of HaShem - was manifested in the Jew, the man Yeshua, who grew in wisdom and favor with both HaShem and man. Yeshua was the true and perfect Israelite, the fitting representative, and the perfector and embodiment of the entire nation. He lived as the consummate Tzadik (righteous one), fulfilling without blemish the mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah and bringing to perfection the human expression of the Adam Kadmon.
   
   

5. We believe that the Sovereign One gave to Israel the Torah, Shabbat and the land of Israel as signs of His eternal covenant with her. The Torah serves in all its particularity as the constitution of Israel, which is the fundamental rule of life and custom for this congregation.
   
   

6. We believe that HaShem chose Israel - the Jewish people - in an eternal covenant with Him. Though often straying, Israel has not been disinherited, but remains Am Kadosh (a separated people) abiding in the covenant love and faithfulness of Ha Shem, who continues to work out His purposes for her and through her.
   
   

7. We believe Messiah to be the final mediator between HaShem and mankind, and the greater prophet alluded to by our teacher Moshe Rabeinu. We believe Yeshua to be the "Son of Man" who Daniel saw in his prophetic vision of the Messiah, who was brought to HaShem (the "Ancient of Days") and given by HaShem a kingdom without end. While confusion may exist about the identity of the Messiah, and fulfillment of Daniels vision, it remains incumbent upon Jews to live a life consistent with the demands the Torah makes.
   
   

8. We believe as taught by Chazal and Rebbe Yeshua, that it is incumbent on a chotei (sinner) to make T’shuvah (repentance), which means a return to Torah as a requirement for spiritual renewal. We honor the ancient practice of Tevilah (immersion in a Mikvah) as an outward demonstration of return to Torah and a proclamation of our Emunah (trust) in Zechut Avoteinu (the merit of our fathers and Messiah).
   
   

9. We believe in Techiyat HaMeitim (the physical resurrection of the dead) as confessed every day during Shacharit: "Meitim Y'chayeh El B'rov Chasdo" (HaShem will revive the dead in His abundant kindness). As affirmation, the Tzadik Yeshua was physically raised from the dead by HaShem, thereby providing us assurance and confident hope. HaShem took him up into heaven and seated him at His right hand, also known as  HaG’dulah BaM’romim (The Majesty on High), where he remains until the end of the age as Moshiach ben Joseph (Messiah Son of Joseph), known in Jewish tradition as the suffering Messiah. Until this point, according to Rambam, he remains b'chezkat Mashiach (presumptive or potential Messiah) as all the requirements of the Acharit HaYamim (the end of days) has not been met.  At the consummation - in the Acharit HaYamim (last days) - HaShem will return Yeshua as Moshiach ben David  (Messiah son of David). He will then be King for the final  Geulah (redemption) and Tikkun O'lam  (repair of this world).
   
   

10. We believe it is incumbent upon Israel to be an Or L'goyim (light unto the nations), by maintaining her distinction from the nations. We believe that there is a place for all the righteous from among the nations in the Olam Haba (the age to come), and there is a spiritual equality between righteous gentiles and righteous Jews. Likewise, there is equality between male and female in the sight of HaShem. We are equal but not identical, a distinction which allows for divine purpose and order.
    
    

11. We therefore believe that Jewish marriage is ordained only between male and female for the divine purpose of procreation. Intimate relationship for this purpose is possible only by HaShem’s design, and can therefore only occur between male and female. Intimate relationship according to the Hebrew Scriptures and Jewish Tradition is sanctioned by marriage, which ensures the continuity of Israel and the Jewish people as an Am Kadosh (separated people).
    
    

11/25/09