Parsha:

Kedoshim,  Mishpatim,  Nitzavim 

Collections: Laws of Slavery

Description

In this concluding shiur to this brief topic, we assay the many mentions of the גר in the תורה (and ספר יהושע) and identify several different social, legal and ritual positions that the putative גר occupies. By looking carefully at the language in each case, we see that not all "strangers" are alike. We end up defining three distinct categories of גר and propose how each should be viewed within the context of the anticipated settlement in the Land - the preparation of which is one of the central motifs of ספר דברים.