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The differing approaches may depend on how one views the connections between our pasuk’s parts. After commanding to love the ger, the Torah apparently provides a reason: "for you were strangers..." In other words, we should be sensitive to difficult situations similar to the one we experienced. This fits well with the Ibn Ezra and Chinuch.
The Rambam may focus on the earlier part of the pasuk. Torat Kohanim (ad loc.) learns from the words, "as a citizen of yours he shall be," not to treat him as other Jews, but as a directive to accept a ger only if he accepts all of a Jew’s obligations. If the pasuk stresses the serious religious commitment required, we understand the connection to the commandment to love him. After all, one who embraces Hashem in a dedicated manner deserves it more than the average Jew, who is simply born into Judaism.
This understanding of the Rambam explains an apparent contradiction. The Rambam (Issurei Bi’ah 13: 15,17) talks about gerim who were accepted when it is unclear whether their motivation was noble or self-serving. In one place he says that we wait to see how they turn out before deciding whether to push them away or embrace them. In another place he says that even if their secret is uncovered, we consider them to be valid converts. While some Acharonim view the statements as referring to the conversion’s status, our mentor, Rav Yisraeli (Chavot Binyamin 67) explains that the conversion even with questionable intentions is valid. The issue is whether we should embrace and love the convert as the Torah usually requires, or whether we should give him a cold shoulder due to his insincere motives. Since the Rambam views the reason to love converts as their willingness to embrace Hashem, not their difficult situation, it makes full sense that when a conversion was self-serving, the ger does not deserve our affection.
The existence of converts with questionable motives has caused some to generally look askance on gerim. However, we should be careful not to throw out the baby with the bath water.
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.

Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.

Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.

Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.

The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?

Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.

Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.








