(e) In contrast, a Tosafist, R. Abraham the Proselyte claimed: Since converts are expert in mitzvot and are punctilious with them, they are as difficult to Israel as a skin disease, because as a result, God reminds the Jews of their sins when they are not doing His will."
We should note the inconsistencies in these views. On the one hand converts cause born Jews difficulties because they are not careful in the observance of commandments and on the other hand because they are expert in the mitzvot and punctilious in their observance. The socio-religious character of these complaints reflect the problems on converts interacting with born Jews .
In Praise of Proselytes
In contrast with this denigration of converts, we find almost unlimited praise in tannaitic sources. The Mekhilta declares: "Beloved are the proselytes-(havivim gerim) and proceeds to bring more than twenty Scriptural precedents requiring us to treat them with loving care.
The rabbis found the proof text for the appropriate behavior towards a proselyte:"You shall not wrong a ger, neither shall you oppress him, for you were gerim in the Land of Egypt’- You shall not wrong him- with words. Neither shall you oppress him- in money matters"(Exodus 22.28). The Mekhilta then proceeds to warn us not to remind the proselyte of his pagan past.