In Parshat Kedoshim (Vayikra
19:33-34) we read: “When a convert dwells among you in your Land, do not taunt
him. The convert who dwells with you shall be like a native among you and you
shall love him like yourself for you were aliens in the
Why does this pasuk specifically
talk about a convert living in the
The Gemara in Yevamot 47a
answers: We learn from this pasuk that we can accept converts even in the
are trying to move to
because it is a great and prosperous Land but even in the times that the Land
isn’t prosperous, there are still laws that ensure that all of the poor have
food to eat (leket, shichecha and peah). The Torah still states that we do
accept converts in the
Unfortunately, the Ministry of
Interior and the Rabbinate in Israel suspect each convert that comes to Israel,
assuming that they are only moving here to receive Sal Klita (money given by
the government to new olim) and they therefore give each convert, even those
approved by the strictest of courts a hard time before they (hopefully) finally
let them make aliya.
This is a very sad situation
which must be rectified as it says in the psukim above: “do not taunt him”,
“you shall love him like yourself”.
Let’s hope and pray that the
process of aliya becomes easier for sincere converts.
