The question of dogma and belief has occupied a central place in Jewish thought, particularly since Rambam’s presentation of his Thirteen Principles. The various challenges and defenses that arose in response to these Principles not only ushered in a new discipline within Jewish philosophy but also radically changed the way that Jews experience their religious commitment. The rich history here is generally well-known, and today we live with its aftermath, including the ubiquity of the Thirteen Principles in Jewish education and liturgy. What is less commonly appreciated is the unique compromise position, championed by a diverse and venerable collection of rabbis, that took Rambam’s idea of legislated belief in a new direction. In their view, it is not belief but inquiry and investigation that lay the foundation for our commitment to Judaism. In adopting this view, we will see that they not only untangled a problematic knot in Rambam’s philosophy but also aligned the study of his ikkarim (fundamental principles of faith) with a broader ideal of intellectual exploration that was central to the thought of important Torah authorities.
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