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Jewish law absolutely forbids the oppression of the stranger,
and mandates that they be treated fairly in every possible way
Please share with the group what aspect of this text resonates with you. Why did you decide to join the discussion group for this theme?
1) How is the idea of treating the stranger fairly reflected in this passage?
2) This verse describes a vision of what Shabbat might be. Is treating the stranger fairly a part of your vision for what Shabbat might be? Why or why not?
(א) שלא להונות הגר בדברים - שנמנענו מלהונות הגר אפילו בדברים, והוא אחד מן האמות שנתגיר ונכנס בדתנו, שאסור לו לבזותו אפילו בדברים, שנאמר (שמות כא ב) וגר לא תונה. ואף על פי שאנו מזהרים בזה בישראל וזה כיון שנכנס בדתינו הרי הוא כישראל, הוסיף הכתוב לנו אזהרה בו, וגם נכפלה האזהרה עליו דכתיב (ויקרא יט לג) ''לא תונו'' פעם אחרת, לפי שענין ההונאה אליו קרובה יותר מבישראל, כי הישראל יש לו גואלים שתובעים עלבונו.
(1) To not oppress the convert with words: That we have been prevented from oppressing converts, even [only] with words - and that is one from the [other] nations who converted and entered our religion - such that is forbidden for [one] to disgrace him even with words, as it is stated (Exodus 22:20), "and you shall not oppress a convert." And even though we are warned about this with [Jews] and since this one entered our religion, behold is like [any other Jew], Scripture added a warning to us and also redoubled the prohibition for him, as it is written (Leviticus 19:33), "do not oppress" another time; because the issue of oppression is more relevant to a convert than it is to [another Jew], as [another Jew] has redeemers who will redress his insult.
This passage comes from a medieval legal work that provides a detailed explanation for every mitsvah in the Torah. Here, the author reminds us that we are told not to verbally oppress Jews, and so the instruction not to verbally oppress a convert (also Jewish!) should be redundant...and yet, we have to be extra careful with those in our society who are vulnerable.
1) What might "verbal oppression" look like, and why are converts especially vulnerable to this type of persecution?
2) How might we ensure that our society doesn't include verbal oppression of strangers (or anyone!)?
The love for the convert, who came and embraced the protection beneath the wings of the Shekinah, rests upon two mandatory commandments, one because they are included in the commandment concerning a neighbor, and the other because they are a stranger, and the Torah charged us, saying: "Love ye therefore the stranger" (Deut. 10.19.). God commanded on the love for the stranger as God commanded concerning the love for God, saying: "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God" (Ibid. 6.5.). The Holy One, blessed is He! loves the strangers Himself, even as it is said: "And (God) loveth the stranger"...
The passage above comes from the great medieval Jewish philosopher, Maimonides.
1) According to his opinion, why is it so important to love the stranger?
2) What might it look like to build a society where this love is evident? How can this belief in the need to treat the stranger well be reflected in our communities?
Gateway to the Moon, by Mary Morris
pp. 164-165
Despite the heat, Inez is enjoying her morning stroll...It is the first night of Passover and she must buy a spring lamb, salted cod, apples, honey, and walnuts plus some sweet wine. They are Christian in name only. ..As New Christians they always attend mass. But in the secret of their homes, in the basements and storage rooms where no one can see, they recite the Hebrew prayers.
Gazing up she sees smoke swirling from the direction of the Rossio. She turns to the old butcher and asks, "What is that smell?"
"They are burning Jews."
Inez feels as if a knife pierces her chest. Now she knows that smell. Tears well up in her eyes but she struggles not to cry. She cannot bear recalling the day that her father was consigned to the flames...
"They are making a bonfire of the Jews."
"Why?' Inez can hardly believe what she is hearing.
"To cleanse their flesh and redeem their souls..."
In this novel, set in New Mexico, a character confronts a treatment of the stranger that is diametrically opposed to what is laid out in the earlier sources.
1) Consider Inez's reaction. What are our reactions when strangers in our society are oppressed or treated unfairly?
Regarding verbal oppression: It is interesting that we live in a nation that values free speech, and yet we educate each other not to use certain terms that would be verbally oppressive to others, even if the law permits it. The law may permit it, but our conscious does not.