Not only that, we insist that the outsider be brought into our four walls. In other words, we “love another like we love ourselves,” even though he is not on our level. As the Alter Rebbe instructs in Chapter 32 of Tanya that even though he is an outsider, we need to tie him to us with bonds of love so that perhaps he will become an insider.
Therefore, we insist that the other Jew be brought into our four walls so that he will become a mensch–a complete man.
In Jewish tradition, one without a home is not considered to be a complete person. Through bringing him within the walls, we enable that outsider to become a person. To accomplish this, the walls of the house must be saturated with tears.
Even though he is a person who may be worthy of stripes, we ensure that he does not receive those stripes. Even if he is on such a level that even the extreme stripes would not eliminate his foolishness, we do not distance ourselves from him.
There is a lesson here for each one of us in our service to Hashem.
The Previous Rebbe is telling us to go beyond the letter of the law and bring an outsider close. Even if the person is on a level where stripes would not affect him and it is wise to distance him, we should bring him into our space. This is the straight path the Previous Rebbe taught. It is an enduring way that leads to eternal victory.
[11 shvat 5728]
Marginal Mavin
One poor in daas would suggest that the need to saturate the walls with tears in order to bring in the outsider is because when one considers his brother’s truly sad and lowly situation, he will be moved to compassion and invite him to come and join those who are inside, i.e., under the wings of the Shechina.
