EXOD649 It was taught: R. Nathan says: "And a stranger you shall not afflict, and you shall not oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt" -- Do not attribute a blemish of your own to your neighbor [i.e. Do not taunt him with being a stranger] (Bava Metzia 59b).

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EXOD652 We must be especially careful not to vex or cheat a convert to Judaism. This verse contains two prohibitions. It is forbidden to vex a convert to Judaism with words and it is forbidden cheat him in financial matters. Although it is forbidden to vex or cheat anyone, an extra prohibition is violated when the victim is a convert. It is easy to take advantage of defenseless people, and therefore we are especially warned against harming them in anyway. (Chinuch 63, 64). A person might try to take advantage of a convert because he feels that he has no relatives who will come to defend him. The Torah therefore reminds us that we were in Egypt. The Egyptians who oppressed our ancestors also felt that no one would come to their aid. But God severely punished them for their wickedness. Remember that God hears the outcry of the oppressed. (Rambam, on this verse). It is forbidden to remind a convert about his past. Even if you are angry at a convert, you are prohibited from saying, "Just a while ago you were an idol worshiper and ate pork. How dare you speak like that to me." (Mechilta 178). The Rambam writes that when talking to a convert one must be exceedingly careful not to hurt his feelings. Even if he says something that is nonsense, it is forbidden to speak harshly with him. Rather, one should explain to him pleasantly why he is incorrect. Referring to someone who insulted a convert, the Rambam wrote, "Perhaps he was drunk at the time and forgot that the Torah warns us 36 times to honor a convert and not to cause him any anguish (see Bava Metzia 59b)." (Igeres HaRambam cited in Maiam Loaiz, Shmos, vol. 2, p. 869).

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EXOD655 See [[EXOD1030]] Exodus 34:6 compassion BLOCH 57-8

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EXOD654 See [[EXOD827]] Exodus 23:6 rights DORFFWITO 238-41

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EXOD656 See [[LEV970]] Leviticus 25:14 wrong TAMARI 96-7

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EXOD653 Biblical laws that mandate that strangers be treated justly are a characteristic and recurring feature of Torah legislation: [this verse], and later "… Hear out your fellow man and decide justly between any man and a fellow Israelite or a stranger" Deuteronomy 1:16, and the previously cited, "The stranger who resides with you shall be as one of your citizens…" Leviticus 19:34. Throughout history, strangers in societies all over the world often have been denied basic rights and discriminated against. In contrast, the Torah insists "There shall be one law for you and for the stranger who lives among you" Exodus 12:49, see also Numbers 15:15. To this day, the ancient physical injunction represents the cornerstone of a just society.

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EXOD657 The Torah's rationale for this command is somewhat counterintuitive, since so many of us do not learn from our own suffering not to inflict suffering on others. The last people we would expect to abuse their children are those who themselves were abused as children, but, in fact, they are far more likely to do so than adults who were not abused. Similarly, historians have often explained the widespread German support for Nazism as a response, in part, to the severe terms the Allies imposed on the Germans at the end of World War I. In short, suffering is often not an ennobling teacher. But that is exactly what the Torah demands of the Israelites, and continues to demand of Jews today: Learn from the bad treatment you have experienced at the hands of others not to treat others in the same way.

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EXOD662 It is a negative commandment not to inflict suffering on any widow or orphan as Scripture says, You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child [this verse]. Even if they are wealthy, even the widow of a king, or his orphan child, it is necessary to treat them with respect. One is not to cause them distress or anguish to their hearts with harsh words. He is to be more protective of their property than of his own. If anyone brings them to rage or brings anguish to their hearts, and all the more certainly if he strikes them or curses them, he violates this prohibition; and his punishment is given explicitly in the Torah: [Exodus 22:23]. Whether a child is without a father or without a mother, he is called an orphan, until he grows up and attends to all his needs alone, like other adults. It is permissible to chasten them in the learning of Torah or a craft, so as to guide them in a straight and decent path. Nevertheless one should be solicitous with them, to rear them slowly [patiently] with kindness and compassion.

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EXOD660 A person who causes a widow or orphan to cry out and suffer, whether it be through theft, exploitation, embarrassment, or any form of anguish, is punishable with death administered by Heaven. Similarly, judges who have the ability to rescue the victim of robbery from the thief, but are not willing to adjudicate the case of the orphan, will be sentenced to death, as the pasuk says [this verse, 21-23]. What this means is: "Your wives will be widows," corresponding to the affliction of the widow; "and your children orphans," corresponding to the affliction of the orphans--measure for measure. (Continued at [[LEV985]] Leviticus 25:17 abuse GATES 199.)

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EXOD659 "Any widow or orphan shall you not afflict." If you speak loshon hara about widows or orphans in their presence, no matter what their social or financial position, you violate this prohibition.

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