Noahide Druze Religion

From Wikinoah English
Jump to: navigation, search
Noahide Druze.png
The following is an attempt to review the Druze faith as a potential Noachide faith as interpreted by Rabbinic Tradition. Following a description and brief summary of the religion, an attempt is made to identify which parts of that faith are incompatible with the Seven Laws of Noach. There are two goals in this effort: First, for believers who are currently belong to these faiths to become aware of what the Noachide Laws require of all humanity. Second, to try to isolate, identify and retain the national character of the faith so that a Noachide is left with a deep and fulfilling expression of his faith.

Description of the faith

See the main article Druze.

Support for the spread of the Seven Noachide Commandments by the Druze leaders reflects the Biblical narrative itself. The Druze community reveres the non-Jewish father-in-law of Moses, Jethro, whom Muslim Arabs call Shuˤayb. According to the Biblical narrative, Jethro joined and assisted the Jewish people in the desert during the Exodus, accepted monotheism, but ultimately rejoined his own people. In fact, the tomb of Jethro in Tiberias is the most important religious site for the Druze community. [1]

Documentation of which practices are not allowed according to the Jewish law

At this time there are no known Druze practices which are forbidden according to Jewish law as applied to non-Jews.

Their book of Joshua which differs from the Jewish book of the same name does not appear to conflict with the Noachide laws and may be regarded as a holy book by Noachide Druze (though not by Jews).

Relationship to the Jewish Scriptures

Druze do not accept the entire Jewish scriptures. A "Noachide Druze" should accept the entire Jewish scriptures as divinely inspired.

Relationship to authentic Jewish interpretation of Scripture

It is not clear how the Druze view the authority of Rabbinic tradition concerning the interpretation of Scripture concerning the Seven Laws. A declaration has been made by several Druze leaders explicitly accepting observance of the Seven Noachide Laws as laid down in the Bible and expounded upon in Jewish tradition. A "Noachide Druze" should accept the authority of the Jewish court in these matters.

Religious Council / Creed, as the defining interpretation of the faith

It is not clear that the Druze have fulfilled the commandment of setting up their own active courts of law with the authority to enforce their rulings. Although most Druze have accepted the authority of Islamic or secular courts, a "Noachide Druze" should work towards establishing their own authorized and effective courts of justice to reflect their own national identity and traditions.

Quote and teachings from leaders of this faith concerning the above

Rabbinical Approval

In April 2006, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, Shaykh Mowafak Tarif, signed a declaration calling on all non-Jews in Israel to observe the Seven Noachide Laws as laid down in the Bible and expounded upon in Jewish tradition. The mayor of the Galilean and the city of Shfaram also signed the document. The declaration includes the commitment to make a "...better humane world based on the Seven Noachide Commandments and the values they represent commanded by the Creator to all mankind through Moses on Mount Sinai."

Assuming the description of the Druze faith as it is presented here is complete and correct, and given the additional requirements presented on this page (accepting Jewish Scripture, etc), it can be tentatively said that someone who follows this faith and the above additional requirements is a true Bnai Noach according to halacha.

This conclusion hopefully will be reviewed by a Jewish court of law in the near future and an official declaration made.