“G-d keeps the convert” — but why? On Tehillim 146 — Jews by Choice

If you are a convert or know a convert — I strongly recommend the reading of Tehillim (Psalm) chapter 146 and its Midrash. The posuk says, “ה׳ שומר את גרים” (“G-d keeps the convert”).
A pshat (simple/literal) reading of the verse in juxtaposition of the other verses in the same chapter raises a question — why is it only written regarding the convert “את גרים” (i.e. with the definite article), whereas regarding all other categories of people mentioned in the same chapter, there is no definite article?

I think the answer can be drawn from both an analysis of the wording of the mitzvah of “ואהבת את הגר” in juxtaposition with other commandments regarding the love of G-d or one’s fellow, and a reading of the Midrash on Tehillim 146:9.

1. Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky wrote in Emes leYaakov on Vayikra 19:18 (Parshas Kedoshim), that the mitzvah of “ve-ahavta es hager” has the “את/es” as does the mitzvah to love G-d “es Hashem”, as opposed to the lack of the definite article in the mitzvah to give love towards one’s fellow “veahavta le’reecha kmocha”. The difference, the Rav wrote, is that in loving G-d and loving the convert, one is obligated to actually have intrinsic love, whereas towards the fellow one is to show love through actions.
2. The Midrash on this verse consists of a lively parable likening a convert to a deer limiting its own freedom to join the King’s flock of sheep, and Hashem to the King who instructs his shepherd to take special care of that deer — more than the rest of the flock. The original and translated text can be found at the end of this article. Such a romantic, intimate and pure portrait of the love of a convert for Judaism and the care of Hashem for such a convert.

Similarly, the “את” in Tehillim 146:9 expresses the intensive and deliberate care that G-d shows towards converts over and above what He would show to other Jews — even the other categories of people listed in the same chapter of Tehillim.

My rebbe R. Yitzchak Shurin in Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya (Shapell’s) shared that whenever his grandfather, Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, would see a male convert, he would hug the latter. Upon hearing about that, the words on the above-cited Emes leYaakov came to life in my head.

When reading these, it is as if Hashem told me the Midrash Himself, like a father sitting his child on his lap, softly telling his child a story about his love for davka this child.
When a convert finds the path of avodat Hashem painful or chas veshalom frustrating, he/she should know that Hashem is always and especially watching over him/her, going beyond commanding that converts be loved. Never let the Yetzer Hara succeed in making you depressed and lacking in awareness of how loved you are by Hashem.
So, despite times when circumstances are difficult, or chas veshalom someone is not careful to fulfill the mitzvah of ahavas hager, know that not only is it a chance min Shamayim for giving ahavas chinam, but uphold your choice of joining the flock, and turn any suffering into energy for avodas Hashem.

MIDRASH TEHILLIM 146:9 (translation mine)

ה’ שומר את גרים. הרבה הקב”ה אוהב את הגרים. למה הדבר דומה למלך שהיתה לו צאן והיתה יוצאה ורועה בשדה ונכנס בערב בכל יום.

“G-d keeps the converts”. How the Holy One Blessed be He loves the converts! To what can this be compared? To the King to whom a flock of sheep belong, and His flock would graze in the field and return every evening.

פעם אחד נכנס צבי עם הצאן הלך לו אצל העזים והרחלים והיה רועה עמהן נכנס עמה יוצאת לרעות יצא עמה אמרו למלך הצבי הולך עם הצאן ורועה עמהן בכל יום יוצא ונכנס עמהן. היה המלך אוהב לצבי ביותר. בזמן שהוא יוצא לשדה מצוה לרועה ואומר לו הזהר בצבי הזה לא יכהו אדם. וכשהיה נכנס עם הצאן היה מצוה אוהבו עליו תנו לו שיאכל וישתה והיה אוהב הצבי ביותר.

Once, a deer joined the flock, grazing and going with the lamb and goats. The shepherds reported to the King, “there is a deer that goes out and comes in with us every day”. The King loved the deer the most. When the deer would go out into the field, the King would command the shepherd to pay attention to the deer that no man should strike it. When the deer would come in with the flock, the King would command them to love the deer and to give it food and drinks, demonstrating His extra love to the deer.

אמר לו הרועה אדוני המלך כמה תיישים וכמה עזים וכמה רחלים וכמה גדיים יש לך ואין אתה מזהירני אלא על הצבי בכל יום אתה מצוני עליו

The shepherd said to Him, “my Master the King, you have so many goats, lamb, and sheep, but you had never especially cautioned me; yet regarding the deer, you are cautioning me every day!”

אמר לו הצאן כך דרכה לרעות אבל הצבי במדבר הן יושבין אין דרכן ליכנס לישוב אצל בני אדם וזה הצבי נכנס וישב אצלנו לא נחזיק לו לטובה שעזב המדבר הגדול הרחב מקום שהצביים והאיילות רועות והניח אותן ובא אצלנו לכן אנו צריכין להחזיק לו טובה

Answered the King, “the sheep are accustomed to grazing, but the deer in the desert dwell around and are not accustomed to entering [and] to return to people, whereas this deer enters and settles with us. He is not socially-rooted (lit. “not grasped on to”), that he abandoned and left the vast and wide desert where other deers roam and came to us. Thus, we need to hold on to him well.”

. כך אמר הקב”ה טובה גדולה צריך אני להחזיק לגר שהניח משפחתו ובית אביו ובא אלי. לכן אני מצוה עליו (דברים י יט) ואהבתם את הגר. (שמות כב כ) וגר לא תונה וגו’.

Similarly, the Holy One Blessed be He said ‘I need to hold on to the convert well and greatly, that he left behind his/her family and the house of his father to come to Me. Thus, I command regarding him, “and you shall love the convert” (Deuteronomy 19:19) and love the stranger and “and you shall not oppress the convert” (Exodus 20:20), etc.’