Negative Commandment 252 (Digest)
Hurtful Words to a Convert
"You shall not wrong a stranger"—Exodus 22:20.
It is forbidden to verbally distress or humiliate a convert. Such as by telling him, "Yesterday you were an idolater and now you have entered under the wings of the Divine Presence..."
Though it is forbidden to verbally humiliate anyone, one who does so to a convert transgresses this prohibition, too.
The 252nd prohibition is that we are further forbidden from verbally causing emotional distress to a convert, i.e., ona'as devarim.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "Do not wrong a convert."
In the words of the Mechilta: "The verse 'Do not wrong a convert' means doing so with your words." This prohibition is repeated a second time, in the phrase "[When a convert comes to live in your land,] do not hurt his feelings.' "
In the words of the Sifra: "You should not tell him, 'Yesterday you were an idolater and now you have entered under the wings of the Divine Presence.' "
The text on this page contains sacred literature. Please do not deface or discard.
