The Torah commands in Parashat Mishpatim (Shemot 22:20), “Ve’ger Lo Toneh” – that it is forbidden to hurt a convert’s feelings by speaking to him offensively. The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains that of course, it is forbidden to speak hurtfully to any Jew, but the Torah established a separate prohibition forbidding hurtful speech to a convert because converts will likely suffer greater emotional harm from hearing hurtful words than other Jews would. One reason, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writes, is because converts do not have family members to defend them and stand up for them when they are harassed or humiliated. Furthermore, a convert who suffers shame and embarrassment might be led to leave Judaism and return to his previous religion. Therefore, the Torah presented a special prohibition forbidding speaking hurtful words to a convert. As an example of the kind of hurtful words that the Torah forbids, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writes that one may not say to a convert something to the effect of, “Yesterday you worshipped idols, and today you think you can bask under the wings of the Shechina?!” The Sefer Ha’hinuch writes that this prohibition helps to reinforce our realization that not everything which we are capable of doing is proper. It is very easy to embarrass and insult a convert, who, as mentioned, does not have the support of family. By refraining from doing so, we help hone our character, as we accustom ourselves to restraining ourselves from things which we are instinctively led to do. The Sefer Ha’hinuch adds that the Torah presents this prohibition twenty-four times, to emphasize just how grievous a sin it is to speak hurtfully to a convert. (The Minhat Hinuch points out that the Torah actually issues this command thirty-six times, not just twenty-four times.) Moreover, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writes, the Torah commands in one context, “Va’ahabtem Et Ha’ger” (“You shall love the convert” – Debarim 10:19). The only other instance of such a command – “You shall love” – is the famous command, “Ve’ahabta Et Hashem Elokecha” – “You shall love Hashem your G-d” (Debarim 6:5). The Torah compares the love we must have for a convert to the love we must have towards G-d Himself, reinforcing the extent to which we must ensure to treat a convert with graciousness and kindness. Needless to say, this command applies at all times and in all locations, and to both males and females. One who speaks hurtful words to a convert transgresses this prohibition, but does not receive Malkut, as this prohibition is violated verbally, and not through an action. The question arises as to the difference between this prohibition and the prohibition against speaking hurtfully to a regular Jew. Are these two prohibitions identical, or are there practical differences (“Nafka Minot”) between them? In three respects, we find that the prohibition against speaking hurtfully to a convert has broader application than the prohibition against speaking hurtfully to other Jews. First, the Torah formulates the command against speaking hurtfully to fellow Jews as, “Ve’lo Tonu Ish Et Amito” – “You shall not torment each his fellow” (Vayikra 25:17), from which the Sages inferred that it is limited to Jews who observe the Misvot. The word “Amito” refers to our fellow Jews who act as we do, with a commitment to the Torah’s laws, and so this command does not refer to sinners. When it comes to converts, however, no such stipulation is made, and thus it is forbidden to speak hurtfully to any convert, regardless of whether he properly observes the Misvot. Secondly, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writers later (Misva 338) that one may respond in kind to somebody who began harassing him or insulting him. Although in general it is forbidden to insult a fellow Jew, if a fellow Jew initiated a verbal assault, one may respond strongly to defend himself. When it comes to a convert, however, this provision does not apply. Even if a convert initiates verbal hostilities, one may not respond in an offensive man