Positive Commandment 207

Loving a Convert

By Malka Touger

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Positive Commandment 206

Positive Commandment 208

Deuteronomy 10:19 "Love the convert"

A person who has converted to Judaism is regarded highly by the Torah.

The convert's tremendous strength and determination is appreciated and respected. He is called a "righteous convert" for taking upon himself the Jewish lifestyle.

He merits special attention and the Torah gives us this specific commandment, instructing us to love him.

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Positive Commandment 206

Positive Commandment 208

Malka Touger is a world-renowned teacher and lecturer. She has authored and co-authored several best-selling books and produced a number of educational videos in both English and Hebrew. She lives in Har Nof, Jerusalem, with her husband, Rabbi Eliyahu Touger, and their children.

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2 Comments

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Jacques Cape Town February 10, 2018

Would this ger only be a ger to Judaism or would that include the ger to Torah. In other words the ger who does not become a Jew. The ger toshav. Reply

Rabbi Mendel Adelman February 20, 2018

in response to Jacques :

Hello Jacques,

According to halacha, this verse only applies to a ger tzedek, one who converted to Judaism.

The Rambam (Hilkhot De’ot 6:4) writes:

"Love for a ger who has come under the wings of the Divine Presence (i.e., converted) comprises two positive commandments: one, because he is now among those referred to as “fellow” [as in the commandment, ‘You shall love your fellow as yourself’ (Vayikra19:19)]; and the other, because he is a convert, and the Torah says, “You shall love the ger.”

While there is no command to love the ger toshav, the Gemara (Pesachim 21b) does bring a requirement to sustain him. Reply

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