Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the verse 'Love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt' mean?
A: This verse teaches us to treat converts and foreigners with kindness and compassion because we, the Jewish people, experienced being strangers in Egypt. Rashi explains that we must remember our own difficult past to develop empathy for others in similar situations.
Q: Why is loving the stranger important in Judaism?
A: Loving the stranger is a fundamental mitzvah (commandment) mentioned 36 times in the Torah - more than any other commandment. The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 6:4) teaches that we must go out of our way to help strangers feel welcome, as we know the pain of being outsiders from our experience in Egypt.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: Today this verse reminds us to welcome newcomers to our communities, be sensitive to those who feel like outsiders, and remember our history to cultivate compassion. The Talmud (Bava Metzia 59b) derives from this that we must be careful not to oppress converts with words or actions.
Q: What's the connection between being strangers in Egypt and loving strangers?
A: The Torah uses our experience of oppression in Egypt as motivation for ethical behavior. The Sforno explains that since we know how painful it is to be mistreated as strangers, we have an obligation to ensure others don't experience that pain. This creates a society based on empathy rather than cruelty.
Q: Does 'stranger' in this verse only refer to converts to Judaism?
A: While the term 'ger' often refers to converts, the Ramban explains it includes all people who are outsiders in our community. The Talmud (Gerim 3:4) teaches this includes both full converts and non-Jews living among us who observe basic moral laws (ger toshav). The common principle is showing kindness to all who are vulnerable.
Understanding the Commandment to Love the Stranger
The verse "וַאֲהַבְתֶּם אֶת־הַגֵּר כִּי־גֵרִים הֱיִיתֶם בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם" (Devarim 10:19) commands the Jewish people to love the stranger, grounding this obligation in their own historical experience as strangers in Egypt. This mitzvah appears multiple times in the Torah, emphasizing its importance in Jewish law and ethics.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Devarim 10:19) explains that the Torah repeatedly warns about mistreating the stranger because of the natural human tendency to oppress those who are different. He notes that the phrase "כִּי־גֵרִים הֱיִיתֶם" serves as a reminder that the Jewish people know the pain of being oppressed as strangers, and thus they must act with compassion toward others in similar circumstances.
Rambam's Perspective
Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 6:4) expands on this idea, teaching that one must not only avoid harming the stranger but actively show them love. He writes that the Torah mentions the Exodus 36 times to reinforce this ethical imperative, as the memory of suffering should inspire empathy and kindness.
Midrashic Insights
The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 10:19) connects this verse to the broader principle of imitatio Dei (imitating G-d's attributes). Just as HaShem "loves the stranger" (Devarim 10:18), so too must the Jewish people emulate this divine trait by welcoming and caring for those who dwell among them.
Halachic Applications
Contemporary Relevance
Modern poskim like Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe, Yoreh De'ah 1:160) apply this commandment to Jewish interactions with all people outside their immediate community, stressing that the Torah's ethical demands transcend time and place. The memory of Egyptian bondage remains a perpetual call to build a society based on justice and compassion.