The Pri Megadim in OC Siman 156 Ashel Avraham Sif-Katan 2 brings over there (it’s a long piece) from the Rambam in Hilchos De’as Perek 6 Halacha 4 that the Mitzvah of Ahavas HaGer is really 2 mitzvas “Aseh” The Rambam writes,
אהבת הגר שבא ונכנס תחת כנפי השכינה שתי מצות עשה. אחת מפני שהוא בכלל ריעים ואחת מפני שהוא גר והתורה אמרה ואהבתם את הגר. צוה על אהבת הגר כמו שצוה על אהבת עצמו שנאמר ואהבת את ה’ אלהיך. הקב”ה עצמו אוהב גרים שנאמר ואוהב גר
The Pri Megadim there writes that therefore there would be a “nafka minah” if someone came across a Yisrael who needed help unloading something and a convert that needed help loading something. He writes that it’s better to help the convert since there is an additional mitzvas aseh (2 altogether.)
In this being the case (according to the Pri Magadim) why then in Hilchos Tzedeka Yoreh Deah Siman 251 Sif 9 do we find that in the order of priority in who Tzedeka should be given a convert is almost the last one on the list (!?) Seemingly from this Pri Megadim he should be one of the first!
Answer:
This is a nice question. Please see here where we wrote an article to explain the matter of why there is no obligation to give precedence to a convert, in spite of the special mitzvah to love him.
Specifically concerning the ruling of the Peri Megadim, I think the question is good, and I don’t have a clear answer.
Best wishes.
