In the Torah the convert is often lumped with the Levite, orphan, and widow as someone who is in need of receiving tithes and the harvest that is ‘forgotten’. As well the mitzvah not to cheat a poor or destitute hired person singles out converts. What is the reason they are viewed as needy, poor, and destitute, or why are they often lumped with the orphan and widow?

I believe that the answer is simply that in Israel, most commerce was agriculturally based. As such people relied heavily on their families land plots which were divided among the tribes of Israel. A convert has a natural disadvantage in that they do not have a tribe or a plot of land to call their own until they can build capital and purchase some. Also, since they don’t have family to look after them, they are more likely to need help.

I don’t believe that a rich convert received any charity, but the point seems to be that since they are likely to need help, one should look out for them.

Be well,
Rabbi Daniel Freitag

Atlanta Scholars Kollel
www.AtlantaKollel.org