The Ten Principles

Rabbi Morris Lichtenstein

Rabbi Lichtenstein developed a list of Ten Fundamentals of Jewish Science in his book Jewish Science and Health. These are the foundation of Jewish Science spiritual practice.

  1. The Jewish Faith is the only faith we acknowledge. Jewish Science is the application of the Jewish Faith to the practice of life.
  2. We believe wholeheartedly in the efficacy of prayer. We believe that no prayer, when properly offered, goes unanswered.
  3. We shall endeavor every day of our lives to keep serene; to check all tendencies to violence and anger; to keep calm even in the face of unpleasant and discouraging circumstances.
  4. We shall strive to be cheerful every day of our lives. The Talmud says that the Divine Presence departs from one who is in gloom. It is God’s design that man should find joy and cheer in his existence on earth.
  5. We shall seek to cultivate an attitude of love and goodwill towards everyone. We shall make no room in our heart for hatred and bitterness. The world was created on a plan of divine love, and to admit thoughts of hatred or malice is to violate the plan of God.
  6. We shall cultivate a disposition of contentment, envying no one, and praising God for the good he has already bestowed on us. Contentment is the greatest friend of happiness; envy its greatest enemy.
  7. We shall make conscious effort to banish worry and fear from our lives. We regard these two as the greatest enemies of mankind and give them no place in our consciousness.
  8. We shall trust in God’s goodness in every circumstance of our life.
  9. We believe that death is an elevation to eternal life, and not a cessation of existence.
  10. We believe that God is the Source of health and the Restorer of health.

In addition to these fundamental principles, he developed two affirmations which are the heart of our practice of affirmative prayer.

I am calm and cheerful. I hate no one; I envy no one. There is no worry or fear in me. I trust in God all the time.

The God-consciousness in me expresses itself in health, in calmness, in peace, in power, and in happiness.