Editing Jewish principles of faith (section)

===The role of ''mitzvot''===
Some scholars have debated whether the practice of ''[[mitzvot]]'' in [[Judaism]] is inherently connected to Judaism's principles of faith. [[Moses Mendelssohn]], in his [[Jerusalem (Mendelssohn book) |''Jerusalem'']] (1783), defended the non-dogmatic nature of the practice of Judaism. Rather, he asserted, the beliefs of Judaism, although revealed by God in Judaism, consist of universal truths applicable to all mankind. Rabbi [[Leopold Löw]] (1811–1875), among others, took the opposite view, and considered that the Mendelssohnian theory had been carried beyond its legitimate bounds. Underlying the practice of the Law was assuredly the recognition of certain fundamental principles, he asserted, culminating in the belief in God and revelation, and likewise in the doctrine of divine justice.

The procedure of conversion suggests the relative priority placed by Judaism on observance versus belief.{{cn|date=May 2025}} Converts to Judaism must accept the ''[[mitzvot]]'' (commandments of the Torah) as binding, while the profession of faith demanded is limited to the acknowledgment of the unity of [[God]] and the rejection of idolatry.{{cn|date=May 2025}} The aim of teaching was to convey a knowledge of ''[[halakha]]'' (Jewish law), obedience to which manifested the acceptance of the underlying religious principles; namely, the existence of [[God]] and the mission of [[Israel]] as the people of God's covenant.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

[[Judah ha-Levi]] (''[[Kuzari]]'' 1:115, {{circa | 1140 CE}}) states:

:We are not putting on an equality with us a person entering our religion through confession alone. We require deeds, including in that term self-restraint, purity, study of the Law, circumcision, and the performance of other duties demanded by the [[Torah]].