The Jewish people are deeply intertwined with place, yet we exist in a liminal space between identities – people of the land, people of Jerusalem and people of wandering, people of diaspora. This dichotomy brings about one of the classic questions in all of our tradition that emerges in this week’s Torah portion, Bamidbar: Why was the Torah, one of the holiest pieces of our tradition, given in the desert? 

Spoiler – Jewish tradition can’t decide. In fact, we are left with many options of why – meaning we get to decide. According to tradition the Torah was given in the desert because… 

• Just as the desert is open and free to all, so too the Torah should be open and free to all. 1 2 
• Just as the desert is not owned by any one group, identity, or type of person meaning no one group, identity, type of person can claim ownership or jurisdiction over the Torah. 3 4 
• Just as the desert represents humbleness, only those who are humble like the desert can receive and understand Torah. 5 6 
• Just as the desert represents the freedom of the Israelites post-redemption from Egypt and slavery, only a truly free person can truly receive and understand Torah. 7 
• Just as the desert represents “The Wilderness” – as Gary Snyder describes it “a harmonious collection of nature”, so too every person and all of creation was present and witnessed the revelation of Torah.  8 9 
• Even if the most unremarkable places, the most infertile locations, the sparsest and scarcest corners of the universe – wisdom, hope, and love can and will be revealed. 10 

All these wise interpretations beg the question, why do YOU think the Torah was given in the desert? 

1. B. Sanhedrin 49a