We have spoken in the past about the concept that we have to love the Ger/convert. The convert does not just refer to someone who converted to Judaism. The convert is anybody who is not from our inner circle, whether they be a foreigner or immigrant. Anyone who doesn’t belong in the inner clique is considered a Ger, and we have an added responsibility to love them. As we discussed, the Pele Yoetz says that this refers to Sepharadim amongst Ashkenazim, Hasidim amongst Litaim and the like.
There’s a beautiful story brought down by Rabbi Yair Hoffman:
There was a married couple with children that had moved from the United States to Bnei Brak. The couple had converted to Torah Judaism while yet in America, and had sought a more spiritual environment. Their daughter attended a Bet Yaakov in Bnei Brak. Unfortunately, she was teased by some of the other girls in her school. As a result, she did not wish to go back to school.
The parents were at wits’ end and did not know what to do. It was suggested that they go to Rav Shach zt”l for advice. After presenting the problem to Rav Shach, he requested that they bring their daughter to him.
Rav Shach asked the young girl. “Do you know who I am?”
The girl responded, “Of course, you are Rav Shach.”
Rav Shach responded, “Yes, but I am also going to tell you something else.”
He continued, “Do you know that I too am a Ger? And not only that, but many teachers in your Bet Yaakov are also Gerim. There is nothing wrong with being a Ger – in fact, it is a very precious things and something of which to be very proud. So, if anyone ever says anything negative – smile to yourself and be very proud.”
Rav Shach was widely known for his absolute devotion to Emet/Truth. After, the meeting with the young girl, someone who was present asked Rav Shach how he could have left the young girl with the impression that he was actually a Ger.
Rav Shach explained:
"In order to remove tzaar/anguish from someone – it is permitted to lie. Chazal tell us that for someone who is careful to be meticulous in only saying the emet, it is“mutar l’shanon mipnei hashalom/ in order to promote peace and harmony, it is permitted to “veer.”
This also includes trying to alleviate someone’s tzaar – anguish.Nonetheless, it is still preferable, if possible, to use an expression that is still technically true – even if the person you are speaking to may interpret it differently. It states in Parshas Aikev (Dvarim 10:19). “You must love the Ger, for you were Gerim in Mitzrayim.” Technically we are all Gerim (and/or descendants thereof).
The young lady went back to school and adjusted quite well, having been inspired by Rav Shach zt”l
This is an example of a Gadol who took this lesson to the point that he felt it was honest to say, “I am a Ger.” God made it that way, that we are all Gerim, in order that no one should feel uncomfortable for feeling different or strange. We are all Gerim. We are all Converts. We are all foreigners We all don’t necessarily fit in. This is true for all Jewish people.
As David Hamelech says in Tehilim 39,13 “God, listen to my prayers. Don’t be quiet, כִּ֤י גֵ֣ר אָנֹכִ֣י עִמָּ֑ךְ תּ֝וֹשָׁ֗ב כְּכׇל־אֲבוֹתָֽי Because I am a convert with you.
What does he mean?The Radak says that a person in this world, is like an immigrant. He goes from place to place, he does not last here. Every day we are traveling, we don’t know where we are going.Therefore, we are all converts.
In Tehilim 119,19 David Hamelech says, “ גר אנכי בארץI am a convert/foreigner/transient in this land.
David Hamelech calls himself a Ger, Rav Shach called himself a Ger, and therefore we cannot look down on anyone that is different- a foreigner, an immigrant, or the like.
Have a wonderful day.