Rashi explains Moshe’s statement in the following manner: You have received a great reward for your dwelling in this mountain. You have made a Mishkan, a Menorah and the various appurtenances. You have received the Torah, you have appointed for yourselves a Sanhedrin, officers of thousands and hundreds. Now you should go forth into the neighboring nations. This statement seems enigmatic. One would think that after lauding the great spiritual accomplishments, Moshe would now proceed to explain to them the profound intricacies of the Torah and the various codes. Instead, the Torah relates a geographical description of the neighboring countries!
Horav Aharon Bakst z.l. infers a valuable lesson from this pasuk regarding the essence of Torah. One might think that after having mastered the profundities of Torah and ascended to a sublime spiritual plateau, the only propitious place for him to live is in the seclusion of the desert, isolated from people. In the desert where the Torah was given, he would not have to maintain social relations with others. In the desert where communal responsibilities and interactions with various people are not demanded of him, he will find the tranquility to continue his Torah study and enhance his spiritual development. This is a misconception of Torah philosophy.
Indeed, the Torah was given in the desert, but this is not to preclude its integration into everyday mundane matters. Our Torah is a Toras chaim, a living Torah, which guides and inspires, influences and maintains every aspect of our lives. The Torah teaches us how to live among people, how to relate to others, and with whom to associate. It teaches us how to live within the framework of society.
By virtue of our adherence to Torah and mitzvah observance, we maintain our dignity and self-respect among the nations of the world. For this reason, the Torah emphasizes the need to go out of the desert and look around and be cognizant of the neighboring countries. Take your Torah out of the desert, and demonstrate to the world what it means to be a Jew! Take the Torah and live with it, so that your wisdom and knowledge, your superiority and majesty, your pride and honor are displayed before the entire world.
