On this our Sages taught: The Torah was given accompanied with three things, with fire, with water, and in the desert. With fire, as it says, ‘Mount Sinai was all in smoke’ (Exodus 19:18). With water, as it says, ‘The heavens dripped, the clouds dripped water’ (Judges 5:4). With wilderness, as it says, ‘in the wilderness of Sinai.’ Just as these three things are free to all people, so are words of Torah free. This is to teach us that anyone can step up and learn Torah. It is available to one and all. The Midrash adds another idea of why the Torah was given in the desert: “Whoever does not make himself like a desert wilderness, unclaimed, cannot acquire Torah and its wisdom.”
The Greatness of Torah Study
The Torah’s setting in the wilderness shows its universal accessibility. Anyone can study, from a single verse to the depths of Talmud, without barriers. This is all the more so today, with extensive online libraries of Torah writings accessible to anyone and everyone. Yet, the Torah demands humility. Just like the desert wilderness is unclaimed territory, so must the person set aside his ego learning from all and sharing with all, as in Talmud’s chavruta study, where partners question and teach each other, fostering growth.
Begin Talmud Study This Week
The Midrash’s call to the availability of the Torah invites you to study any and every aspect of the Torah. Start with wherever you are in your learning.
And Talmud study, with its complex debates and questions, embodies this challenge. Each page challenges us to listen, question, and grow, making this study the greatest pursuit.
If you would like help getting started in learning Talmud, contact me at https://yosefcornfeld.com