Hashem spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai etc.(Bamidbar 1/1).
On this passage the Midrash Raba (Bamidbar Parasha 1/6) asks; Why [does the Torah mention] the Wilderness of Sinai? [since it's obvious from the previous books that Moses is in the Wildeness of Sinai]
[Therefore]From here the Chachomim learnt that the Torah was given with three things--fire, water, and desert. Where is fire found? [in reference to the giving of Torah] And Mount [Sinai]emitted smoke etc.(Shemot 19)
Where is water found [in reference to Torah] The heavens dripped also the clouds rained water etc. [when the Torah was given] (Judges 5).
Where is desert found? Hashem spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai etc.
Why was the Torah given with these three things? To teach us that just like these are free to all of mankind, likewise the words of Torah are free etc.
Another word [explanation why the Torah mentions "Wilderness of Sinai"]; Whoever does'nt make himself like the desert that is hefkar [relinquish yourself and your wordly posessions ]cannot acquire wisdom and Torah. Therefore it says here "Wilderness of Sinai".
The Sfat Emet asks (page 7, Bamidbar) It seems that the two explanations of the Midrash Raba are contradictory. If the Torah is free for all of mankind to take [according to halacha one is not permitted to accept renumeration for the teaching of Torah], why should one be required to give himself up and his posessions like the barren desert?
He answers, that surely everyone who so desires, can study the Torah [without any prior qualifications]. But to acquire Torah, whereby the Torah is completey absorbed in ones being, can only be achieved when there is absolute detachment from oneself [ the desire for worldly pleasures, wealth etc.] and material posessions.
The Talmud in Makot (22b) says; Ravah said, how foolish are people who rise before a Torah Scroll but don't rise before a great man [torah scholar] etc.
The Maharal explains (Nesibot Olam/Nesiv Hatorah/ch.11) This chazal teaches us the greatness of a Talmid Chacham, that one should'nt say that he is on the same par as other people, that he is not called Torah [not one with the Torah], but just one who has knowledge of Torah. On the contrary, a Talmid Chachem is considered like the Torah itself, and he bears a total resemblance to it.