The Mitzvah of Loving Converts -- Which the Torah Repeats 36 Times!

The Mitzvah of Loving the Convert

The Torah commands us not to cause pain or distress to converts: "You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Shemot 22:20); "When a stranger lives with you in your land, you shall not wrong him. The stranger who lives with you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am Hashem your God" (Vayikra 19:33-34).

The Torah actually repeats the commandment to love the convert and not to cause him distress thirty-six times!

Not only does the Torah require us to treat converts with respect and refrain from harassing them, but it also obligates us to love converts, as it is stated: "Love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt."

One of the reasons for this commandment is explained in Sefer HaChinuch:

"Because Hashem chose Israel to be His holy people and wanted to grant them merit, He guided them and commanded them in the ways of grace and compassion, and warned them to adorn themselves with every precious and desirable quality so they would find favor in the eyes of all who see them, who would say (Ezekiel 36:20), 'These are the people of Hashem.' And how pleasant and desirable it is to show kindness and do good to one who has left his nation and his father's and mother's household, and has come to shelter under the wings of another nation out of love for it, and through choosing truth and hating falsehood. And when we merit these good qualities, Hashem's goodness will rest upon us and cling to us, and nothing will prevent it from us, for goodness spreads among the good, and its opposite among the wicked."

In other words, this commandment was designed to imbue the Jewish People with good qualities, so that the other nations recognize us as "the people of Hashem." This mitzvah reflects the importance of showing kindness toward the convert, who left his family and people behind in order to become a Jew, due to his desire to live according to the truth. 

The author of Sefer HaChinuch adds more wonderful words: "And we should learn from this precious commandment to have compassion for a person who is in a city that is not his birthplace nor the birthplace of his ancestors ... The Torah warns us to have compassion on all who need help, and when we embody these qualities we will merit to be treated with compassion by Hashem, and the blessings of heaven will rest upon us."

Advice for Fulfilling this Mitzvah

Respectful Speech: Always speak to the convert with respect and without making any demeaning remarks. Avoid asking overly personal questions about their past or reasons for conversion.

Assistance and Support: Offer help and assist the convert when possible. This may include emotional support, help finding work, or assistance with filling out official forms.

Education and Explanation: Educate your children and those around you about the importance of accepting converts with love and respect.

Avoiding Comparisons: Avoid making comparisons between a convert's past and present. Focus instead on their progress as this will help them feel a sense of belonging and pride.

Emotional Support: Be attentive to their emotional needs. Sometimes the transition to religious life involves personal and family difficulties. Validate their experiences and offer empathy.

Social Connection: Invite them to social and family events, and introduce them to people who can help them feel part of the community.

Cultural Information: Share with them information on local customs, holidays, and anything else relevant. Explain the local culture to facilitate their integration.

Familiarity with the Environment: Offer them a tour of the new city, and familiarize them with important places such as schools, medical centers, and recreational venues.

Invitation to Events: Invite them to community and family events to help them meet new people and feel part of the community.

Essential Information: Provide them with important information about local services, public transportation, and community activities.

We can all take small but meaningful steps to support converts, newly religious individuals, new immigrants, and people who have moved to a new city. By providing help, emotional support, and a sense of belonging, we can make our environment more loving. Let's commit to acting according to the values of compassion and mercy that the Torah commands us, and create a better society for all of us.