Description
Book SynopsisDiscusses the Druze in the Middle East in general, with a particular focus of the Druze relationship with the State of Israel. Part I -- Faiths, Commandments, and the Life-Cycle -- deals with practical religious commandments, religious rights and ceremonies, and the life-cycle of the individual. Original material is presented that places the Druze unequivocally as members of an independent faith with their own unique identity. Part II -- Spiritual Leadership and Community Organisation -- treats the spiritual leadership in various countries of the Middle East throughout their history. This leadership is of great importance in administering the life of the Druze community. Part III -- Population, Society, and Identity in Israel -- discusses the role of family, society, and religious identity, and the changes in attitudes that have taken place in recent generations. Part IV -- Laws of Personal Status -- is an analysis of the laws of personal status of individuals, and of the implementation of these laws in practice in the Druze religious courts.
Trade Review"This is an especially accessible guide to Druze belief, ritual practice, ethnography, and history... The author has collected excellent demographic material on the Israel community and provides a clear and concise analysis of its social structure and struggle with change... This important little volume is arguably the best introduction currently available in English... Essential." -- Social & Behavioral Sciences.
Table of ContentsContents: Faith, commandments and the life-cycle; spiritual leadership and community organization; population, society and identity in Israel; laws of personal status.
