LEV802 The Torah also gives us a specific reason why the Jew may not oppress the stranger or display any prejudice against those minorities who are different. The Torah numerous times links the commandment not to oppress the stranger [this verse; Exodus 22:20, 23:9; Deut 10:19] with the idea that you, the Jews, were also strangers in Egypt. Therefore, since you know how it feels to be a minority that is different (in language, dress, and customs) and discriminated against when you were slaves, you may not display any discrimination against anyone who is different or have prejudice against the stranger. This concept became part of the national Jewish psyche, and the Jew, based on his experience and the stress upon this mitzvah, has internalized this idea. Thus, it is no accident that it was the Jews who were at the forefront of every plight against the downtrodden, including the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s and all other campaigns to defend the victims of prejudice or the weaker members of society.