Chazal note an integral relationship between the “midbar,” wilderness, and the Torah. Much of the Torah’s narrative takes place in the wilderness. The Torah itself was given in the wilderness, a point which Chazal emphasize frequently. It is, therefore, appropriate that the Torah reading immediately prior to Shavuos, the festival of the giving of the Torah, is Parashas Bamidbar. Chazal suggest many explanations for this connection.
Horav S.R. Hirsch, z.l., expresses a simple, but profound, idea regarding the Torah’s ideology in forming the framework of each Jew individually and Klal Yisrael as a unified entity. Hashem chose the barren, free pastures of the unclaimed wilderness, yet untainted by human involvement, for Matan Torah. Far removed from the decadent societies of nations and cities, the wilderness set the model stage for the new foundation, which was to be supported solely by Hashem. In the desert, unencumbered, Hashem gave the Torah to Klal Yisrael. In the desert, where everything was structured from the ground up, Klal Yisrael received their mandate and mission.
Torah law is to be the basis of a Jew’s whole essence, his entire perspective, his every movement. It is not sufficient for the Torah to reach man when he has attained maturity — or society when it has already been established. The work of Torah begins at the origin for all earthly existence. Its sphere is the entire process of planting and nourishing nature. From its inception, all of human nature must be engendered, sustained and nurtured to fulfill the Divine requirements of morality and justice. Thus, human nature will develop the capacity to serve Hashem in purity and holiness.
The place which Hashem designated for the giving of the Torah communicates an important message regarding the Torah’s status in the life of its people.
