AMBIVALENCE IN PROSELYTISM Negative Views

In contrast with these affirmative attitudes to conversion, we hear the proclamation of the Amorah, R. Isaac:"Evil after evil comes upon those who receive proselytes...(which is deduced from a statement) of R. Helbo, who said: kashim gerim le-yisrael k’sapahat- proselytes are as difficult to Israel as a skin disease.’

Why does evil come upon those who accept converts and why are they such a burden to Israel ? Several explanations are given:

(a) A tosafist , Rabbi Isaac (b. Shmuel the Elder), explained that the warning about accepting converts refers to those gentiles who were enticed to convert, or were received immediately without any requirements. However, if gentiles exert themselves to convert, we must receive them.’

(b) Another explanation of the difficulty that proselytes cause born Jews is God 's warning in twenty-four(or some say thirty-six) places in Scripture that forbids us not to wrong converts. It is impossible for us to fulfill all of these commandments and not to grieve them.*

(c) Others say that converts are responsible for Israel 's dispersion through the diaspora as the Talmud comments: "Why is Israel dispersed among all of the nations more than are the gentiles? In order that proselytes be added to

them."

(d) Rashi said that the difficulty with gerim is that they are not careful in their observance of mitzvot so born Jews who associate with converts are attracted to their ways and learn

from their deeds."