Different explanations have been offered for the Sages’ admonition requiring us to approach Torah scholarship as a “desert.” The image of the desert in this context is most commonly understood as a reference to humility, instructing us that scholarship can be obtained only through the humble recognition of the need for additional knowledge. Just as a desert has very little about which it can boast, we must similarly view ourselves as lacking of knowledge and requiring more.
Additionally, the admonition to “make oneself like a desert” may also refer to the need to value every morsel of Torah knowledge. In a barren, empty desert, every bit of water, food or other resource assumes great significance and is regarded with value. In a place that has nothing, anything received is cherished and immensely important. And thus the Midrash instructs us to value every word and insight of Torah knowledge as though it were a cup of water or a juicy fruit brought to a desert traveler. Even if we have amassed an impressive corpus of knowledge, we must continue to relish every insight, every new bit of information, every small piece of knowledge. Seasoned, accomplished scholars tend to grow bored, disinterested or even dismissive and cynical of simple pieces of information related to their field. The Midrash instructs us to approach Torah like cold water in a parched desert, every drop of which is cause for celebration and enthusiasm. Even as we grow in our knowledge sophisticated understanding of Torah laws and concepts, we should enthusiastically embrace and cherish every bit of Torah that we have the opportunity to learn.
Courtesy of Yeshivat Har Etzion - www.etzion.org.il