Appreciating the Convert

It is the custom to read the Book of Ruth during Shavuot. The reason it is read at this time is because the book begins by telling us that it took place during קציר החיטים, the harvesting of wheat. Shavuot is also called, “Chag Hakatzir.”

A second reason given is that Ruth embraced the Torah and took upon herself the Mitzvot of the Torah. She was a Ger Tzedek, a righteous convert. Like Ruth, we were also strangers who embraced the Torah and accepted the Mitzvot on Shavuot.

We are to take pause, and appreciate all of the converts who willingly leave their families and their previous lifestyles, to embrace the Torah and Judaism.

On numerous occasions, we are given the command to love the convert. No two stories are the same regarding the sacrifice made in becoming Jewish.

It is amazing what takes place on the final day, when the conversion candidate stands before a court of three rabbis. The long path taken to learn and observe Jewish practices, ends with the formal acceptance and welcoming of the judges to Judaism.

There is a box of tissues on the table in front of the judges, as inevitably, our new addition to our people breaks into tears of joy. Rabbi Stewart Weiss recently asked a Jewish audience, “When is the last time you cried reciting the Shema Yisrael?”

Shavuot is the holiday when we are to receive the Torah anew. We are to appreciate our special role as Jews, and salute the converts who choose to embrace Judaism of their own free will.