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Ekev(Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25)
Special Status
Parshat Ekev tells of the special mitzvah to love converts. Converts hold a special status in Jewish life, since they did the heroic deed of leaving their familiar surroundings, and casting their destiny with the Jewish people.
Many of our greatest ancestors - Abraham, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel - were all converts! Also the great Talmudic sages Shemaya and Avtaliyon were converts. As was Onkelos, who wrote the Aramaic translation that is printed in virtually every Hebrew Bible.
So why does the Torah require us to be especially nice to converts? The commentators explain that a born Jew has relatives who will defend him; the convert does not, and that makes him particularly vulnerable.
On a deeper level, though, God Himself protects the convert directly. That's why this parsha says to love the convert "because you were strangers in the land of Egypt." Just as the Almighty guarded us and rescued us in Egypt, so too God defends the convert.
There is a fascinating kabbalistic idea that converts already have a Jewish soul, and even stood with the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. It is said that although the non-Jewish nations originally rejected the Torah, individual members of those nations sought to accept it. And the souls of these individuals appear in every generation as converts.
By the way, this idea of "future converts being present at Mount Sinai" helps explain why one of the primary requirements for conversion to Judaism is a commitment to keep the 613 mitzvot - just as the Jews did at Mount Sinai.
(4) Bob Cohen , August 8, 2009
converts having a stronger tie to the patriarchs
I believe I heard once that as part of converting to Judaism, they take a Hebrew name. However as their parents are not Jewish, their name cannot include "son of" or "daughter of" so they actually become sons and daughters of Avram. That's so awesome!
(3) lachrisha smith , August 4, 2009
being a convert
my family has withdrawn themselves from me.they do not understand my conversion.sometimes it seems like they never will.but ,i will never give up hope.it is very hard to be alone in this without them.but, i will go on.i will pray for them.thank you rabbi! you are a warrior!!!!!
(2) Rivqah , August 3, 2009
Wonderful thoughts, Rabbi!
This is what I have always heard -- that converts are special because they choose to be Jewish, unlike people who were born Jewish. And in choosing to be Jewish, they sometimes are alienated from family and subjected to harsh criticism. They are indeed very special people. Thanks for remembering us.
(1) ANDREW , July 9, 2009
THANK YOU RABBI FOR REMEMBER US!!