Xenophobia

Sources throughout the Jewish textual tradition touch on the topic of xenophobia, or fear or dislike of the foreigner or stranger. Rabbinic sources count dozens of instances in which the Torah warns of mistreating the foreigner, and countless texts expand on the importance of treating all people with dignity since humans were created in God's image. Other sources stress the chosenness of the Jewish people and that non-Jews are at times treated differently. Generations of Jewish scholars have grappled with explaining these diverse texts and approaches.