[ari_]

From a strictly halachic view point, ars is actually right. If you are sabbath observant and keep kosher, but don't actually believe in God, torah from sinai etc, no one knows and you're still a kosher witness for example. (By kosher witness I mean someone allowed to bear witness in Jewish courts of law, at wedding ceremonies etc).

Conversely, if you believe in God and want to serve him, but are not that interested in Sabbath Observance for example, then strictly speaking you would be sentenced to death if there was a Sanhedrin (old high court of Jewish law, non existent since destruction of the Second Temple).

Of course if you declare your apostasy that's a separate issue.

Your claims are more how you feel about the religion then what it strictly requires. Also the Rambam's tenants are 13, not 12.

[davemel37]

It's difficult to argue with you when you mention the word Halacha, which is specifically talking about the laws that revolve around behavior and actions. Even within that context, no one denies the concept of "Kavanah".

Ars used a dishonest argument that follows the following logic. "Since we would rather someone do the mitzvos without faith than not do them at all, then it must be that the actions are more important than faith." In fact, the only reason to act a certain way without the belief and intention behind it is "mitoch shelo lishma, bah lishmah" since actions can influence their faith.

Still, the fundamental point of Torah Observance is about hisbonenus, emunah, bitachon, and tikun olam. Almost entirely around understanding G-d and connecting spiritually. This is not just how I feel, this is black and white fundamentals. Sure, the mitzvos and halacha are crucial...but lets not distort that to mean that one shouldn't focus on the faith as long as he does the bare minimum action...

I stand corrected about the 13 maimonides tenants of faith. -----------------------------------