Q. Why did Hashem choose to give the Torah in the desert. Does it not seem strange that such a magnificent, historic event would take place in a desolate desert, rather than a more beautiful, scenic area?

A. The Rabbis explain that Hashem wanted the Torah to be given in a desert in order to teach a lesson regarding Torah learning. Just like a desert has no specific owner and everyone is free to use it, so too the Torah has no specific person who can claim ownership over it. Every single Jew has a connection to the Torah, and through studying it, the Torah becomes ‘theirs’.

The Chassidic masters expound on this explanation. They state that it should have been enough for Hashem to give the Torah to the Jewish people in any ownerless place. However, the Torah was given in this desert because it was dry and desolate and lacked even the most basic necessities. The fact that the Jewish people needed to depend on Hashem to provide for all their needs, teaches us a very powerful lesson. In order to be considered ready to receive the Torah, one must realize that when he is involved in Torah learning, he must rely on Hashem to provide him with everything he needs. He cannot worry during learning about where his food, clothes or money will come from. He needs to have faith in Hashem and this faith will guarantee him all physical and spiritual blessings required. Often, when it comes to Torah learning, people come up with all sorts of excuses. For example, the businessman says that he doesn’t have time to learn Torah so instead he focuses on giving Tzeddakah. However, we need not worry about our needs. Rather, we should spend our time learning Hashem’s Torah and trust that Hashem will provide us with all our needs, just as He did in the desert.

It is interesting to note that when Hashem asked the Jewish people for a guarantor to ensure the Jewish people will always remain committed to Torah and Mitzvot the Jewish people first responded ‘our parents will be our guarantors’. However, Hashem was not satisfied with this response. So the Jewish people said ‘our prophets will be our guarantors’, but once again, Hashem did not accept. Finally, the Jewish people cried out, ‘our children will be our guarantors’ and Hashem finally accepted. The Lubavitcher Rebbe teaches us that the Jewish people are the chosen nation, and have a love for learning Torah. The Torah is our pride and glory! Nevertheless, there could come a time that a Jew will still overlook his commitment to Torah and Mitzvot and it was for this reason that Hashem wanted guarantors who would ensure the Jewish people’s commitment to Torah in all situations. The children are the most suitable guarantors because the commitment of educating the children in the way of Torah, is the best possible guarantee for the future of Judaism. If a child is educated from a young age in the ways of the Torah, when he grows older it will remain with him. The child will be able to have a positive influence on his parents, children, friends and relatives, that they too should become more committed to Torah and Mitzvot.

This is commanded of every one of us, that we ensure every child receives a proper Jewish education. Only through educating the youth will we guarantee a strong future for the Jewish people. In return, those children will have a positive effect on their parents. Through our commitment to keep the guarantee that was made at Mount Sinai, we will merit to receive the Torah once again with joy and in an internalised way. 

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