  Albo presents his theory of principles as an alternative to previous theories of principles, especially that of Maimonides. Additionally, Albo openly criticizes his predecessors’ lists of principles. In their stead, he proposes a system of fundamental beliefs divided into three levels, which he calls “principles,” “roots,” and “branches.” The principles are those beliefs that are derived necessarily from the term “divine law.” They are: (1) the existence of the divine entity (“existence of God”); (2) the divine origin of the system of laws (“Torah from heaven”); and (3) the existence of divine providence, expressed in compensatory reward and punishment for humanity (“reward and punishment”). From these principles stem eight “roots,” which are beliefs that instill clear and detailed content into the general concept of the principle.  The first principle, the existence of God, develops into four roots: (1) the unity of God, (2) the incorporeality of God, (3) God’s independence of time, (4) God’s lack of deficiencies. The second principle, Torah from heaven, leads to three roots: (5) God’s knowledge, (6) prophecy, and (7) the genuineness of the divine messenger. The third principle, reward and punishment, branches into a single root: (8) providence. Denial of any of the principles or roots represents a heresy of the divine law.