In accordance with the maxim, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever: that we may do all the words of this Law,” abstruse metaphysical disquisitions about the essence and the attributes of the Divine Being will be avoided in the present work, as also every attempt at proving, philosophically or mathematically, truths which have been revealed unto us in a supernatural way. [1] But the simple truths taught in the Holy Writings and explained by our sages will be expounded, the different opinions about them will be examined, and it will be shown that these truths are not contradicted by common sense or by the results of scientific research. The second question, however, What does Judaism teach us to do? refers to “the things which are revealed,” and must be treated more fully. Care will be taken, as far as possible, that nothing be omitted that is required for the right understanding and the correct estimate of our religious duties. Religion therefore includes two elements: faith and practice. In religious life, as well as in the teaching of religion, both elements are equally essential; faith without religious practice does not suffice, nor the latter without faith. We are accustomed to look upon certain dogmas as fundamental, and certain practices as essential, and are therefore prone to renounce beliefs which are not fundamental in our eyes, and to abandon such religious practice as seems to us less essential. Hence the frequent inquiry as to what is the minimum of belief, and what the minimum degree of conformity to the Law, that Judaism demands. But in reality there can be no compromise in religion, whether in matters of faith or of practice. Convinced of a certain number of truths, it is impossible for us to abandon any of them without being false to ourselves; being convinced of the binding character of certain religious commands and prohibitions, it would be perverse to pronounce at the same time part of them as superfluous. Judaism is the adherence to the truths taught in the Holy Law, and the faithful obedience to its precepts. The principal Hebrew equivalents for the modern term “Religion,” ‏תורה‎ and ‏אמונה‎, confirm this view. In the Bible ‏תורה‎ signifies “instruction,” and is applied to the teaching of religions truth, as well as to that of religious precepts. The same is the case with the second term ‏אמונה‎ which signifies “firmness,” “perseverance,” or “permanence,” and is used of “consistency” in faith as well as of conscientiousness in the practice of the Divine ordinances. [2] I. OUR CREED. INTRODUCTION.