The story goes that when the seventy-two elders presented it to him, he didn't just nod politely. He rose from his throne, and prostrated himself before it not once, but seven times! Seven! Think about that. If an idol worshiper, someone not even bound by its laws, showed such reverence, how much more should we, who've embraced the covenant and inherited this sacred text? It’s a powerful reminder of the Torah's enduring significance.
And that brings us to the heart of it all: the bedrock of our faith. What are the core principles, the unshakeable foundations upon which everything else is built?
First and foremost, it's the belief in one unique Creator. Not a committee of deities, not some abstract force, but a single, indivisible being. Eternal, without beginning or end. And crucially, not made of matter. Not subject to the same limitations as the physical world. As Sefer HaChinuch emphasizes, this is a cornerstone.
Then comes the giving of the Torah. It wasn't just handed down randomly. It was given specifically to the people of Israel, through Moses, the most faithful of legislators, the servant of God who surpassed all prophets.
And this Creator, Baruch Hu (blessed be He), doesn't just set things in motion and walk away. No! He observes, He oversees, He examines the hearts of human beings and judges our actions with righteousness. As we find in Psalm 33:13-15, "From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do."
In times of distress, to whom do we turn? From whom do we seek help? Him alone. And from Him will come deliverance. From the seed of Jesse will arise the one who gathers the scattered of Israel from the four corners of the earth, from all the places to which they have been dispersed. A figure prophesied to revive their dry bones and raise their decayed bodies. The prophet Ezekiel (37:1-14) speaks vividly of this very vision. These, as Sefer Ikkarim lays out, are the essential and foundational principles.
Now, inevitably, when we look at other belief systems, we might see echoes, or even distortions, of these principles. But it's essential to understand that their beliefs and doctrines are distinct from our knowledge and faith. Their idolatry is not our monotheism. We must always remember that.
So, as we reflect on these core beliefs, let’s remember the powerful image of King Ptolemy bowing before the Torah. Let's hold fast to the knowledge of our unique Creator, the gift of the Torah through Moses, and the promise of redemption. These are the anchors that ground us, that guide us, and that sustain us through all the storms of life.