The Mitzvah of Loving Converts: Torah Insights on Compassion

The Mitzvah of Loving and Supporting Converts

The Torah commands us not to distress or oppress converts: "Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt" (Shemot 22:21); "When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am Hashem your God" (Vayikra 19:33).

The Torah emphasizes this prohibition in no less than thirty-six instances, highlighting the need for every Jew to be especially careful with this mitzvah.

Transgressions Related to Mistreating Converts

Verbally abusing or shaming a convert is considered a very serious matter and can involve violating multiple commandments:

"Do not deceive one another" which applies to all Jews, including those who have converted.
"Do not take advantage of one another" which also applies to all Jews, including converts.
"Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner" which directly concerning converts.

The brachah (blessing) in the Amidah prayer that begins, "Concerning the righteous ones..." also includes a special mention of converts, and one should be careful to have their welfare in mind during this prayer. Today's converts are like Avraham Avinu — they have discovered truth in a challenging world. Therefore, loving converts signifies genuine love for Hashem and His Torah.

Understanding the Mitzvah

Torah Insight and Compassion

Remembering our suffering in Egypt: The Torah reminds us of our own suffering as slaves in Egypt to evoke empathy and compassion towards those new to Torah observance, just as Hashem showed mercy to us.

Cultivating good character traits: Hashem wants His People to embody compassion and kindness, especially to the vulnerable, and fulfilling this mitzvah properly will help us become kinder and more compassionate to those who have left their families and everything familiar behind and joined a new nation. 

Discouraging relapse: If a convert experiences great difficulties in his new life, there is concern that  he might be tempted to return to his family and people of origin. Therefore, we must be especially compassionate and offer all the help — emotional and material — we can.

Legal and Ethical Aspects

Prohibitions and Obligations

Verbal distress: Our Sages have prohibited verbally causing converts distress or pain, such as by reminding them of their former life.

Financial oppression: We are forbidden to oppress converts financially in any way. Furthermore, some authorities (such as Rashi) warn against collecting debts from them. Other authorities stress that one must be scrupulously fair in any financial dealings with a convert.

Extending love: Loving converts is incorporated in the mitzvah to "Love your neighbor," and the additional mitzvah to "Love the foreigner" underscores the importance of showing love for converts and concern for their welfare.

The Importance of Compassion

Anyone who mistreats converts or humiliates them violates numerous Torah laws, and is deserving of severe repercussions. The mitzvah of showing compassion toward converts and concerning oneself with their welfare instils compassion for those without a support network and indeed anyone vulnerable. By embodying mercy and compassion, we become deserving of Divine blessing.