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in which a convert is also included – there is specific mitzvah to love
a convert, as it says, “You shall love the sojourner [i.e. ger] for you
were sojourners in the land of Egypt” (Devarim 10: 19). The Rambam
writes (Hilchos Dei’os 6:4) that we are commanded by two positive
mitzvos to love anyone who has entered beneath the wings of the
Shechinah; one is because he is included among our re’im (colleagues)
and another one because he is a ger. The Rambam writes further (in
Teshuvah 369),“The obligation that the Torah has placed upon us in
regard to geirim is greater than that towards our father and mother,
whom we are commanded to honor and revere – though a person
can honor and revere someone else without loving him – whereas
in regard to geirim, He has commanded us to bear them great love,
which is a matter of the heart.” Anyone who violates this and causes
a convert distress or is negligent in rescuing him or his property, or
who treats him disrespectfully because he is a convert, with no one
to help him among our nation, negates this positive mitzvah and
his punishment is very severe, as explained in the Sefer Hachinuch.
(Mitzvah 431) The Torah similarly warns us specifically about up-
setting a convert and anyone who makes a convert suffer, whether
monetarily or through hurtful words, violates three negative mitzvos.
It says in maseches Bava Metzia (59b), “In forty six places the Torah
warns about the ger.”

ɳ Summary and conclusions

1. It is uncertain whether the baby is a Jew. It is a mitzvah to
convert him, adopt him and love him, and he is capable of
becoming a great Torah scholar.

2. The child’s adoptive mother must not be secluded with
him after he has reached the age of nine years old but it is
worthwhile making the effort to avoid yichud. [A key can
be given to neighbors who can enter the house whenever
the woman is alone with the son.] The reward for adopting
such a child is very great indeed.

502 1 Medical-Halachic Responsa of Rav Zilberstein