Weekly Torah
Of Sand and Precious Stones

By Mordechai Wollenberg

This week's Parsha begins the fourth book of the Torah, the book of Bamidbar -- literally, "In the Desert" -- which deals with our ancestors' travels through the Sinai Desert.

The Midrash gives a number of reasons why the Torah was given in a desert.

Had the Torah been given in a settled area, the implication would have been that it was linked somehow to that neighborhood, that it belonged exclusively to the people of that place. By giving the Torah in the ownerless desert, it was made clear that Torah does not belong to anybody in particular; rather, whosoever chooses can acquire Torah and make it their own.

In addition, a desert conjures up an image of a coarse, uncultivated wasteland. This is symbolic of our physical world. Through applying the Torah and using the world around us for the service of G-d and the betterment of humanity, we elevate and refine this "desert," making it into a rich, fertile land -- a dwelling-place for the Divine.

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By Mordechai Wollenberg More articles... |

Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg lives in Cardiff, Wales, UK, where he serves as rabbi and spiritual leader of the Cardiff United Synagogue.

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Posted: May 26, 2006

In the desert..

If we say,

"Had the Torah been given in a settled area, the implication would have been that it was linked somehow to that neighborhood, that it belonged exclusively to the people of that place. By giving the Torah in the ownerless desert, it would be clear that Torah does not belong to anybody in particular, rather whosoever chooses can acquire Torah and make it their own."

Then why do we hear Torah is for the Jews, only the Noahide Laws are for Gentiles? Why would we serve it up only to Jews.

Can I a Gentile go to Jews to learn the Torah? Freely? What little time I've spent in Torah study and doing; well it's what the world need now it's love specically defined by the Greatest Lover of them All HaShem. Ken?

Posted By Janice, Denver, CO/USA