This book discusses 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 Organization looks at 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. The Arabic source of these laws is discussed, and reference is made to the legal uniqueness of the laws in each of the three countries in the Middle East where this community is concentrated: Syria, Lebanon, and Israel.

Faith, commandments, and the life-cycle -- Spiritual leadership and community organization -- Population, society, and identity in Israel -- Laws governing personal status.