The Midrash Rabba in this week's Parsha writes that the Torah was given with three things, with fire, water and in the dessert.
There are many explanations on the uniqueness of these three things.
The Kesav Sofer explains that these three things represent three important factors regarding Torah Study.
Water naturally always flows to the lowest spot. The same is with those that learn Torah. Torah naturally finds its home in the hearts of those that are humble.
Fire has two opposite factors. On one hand it lights up the darkness and warms cold areas, on the other hand if not kept under control fire burns. The same is with Torah if learnt properly it lightens. However, Torah Scholars have a greater responsibility and if they misbehave or misuse their Torah studies the Torah may burn them.
Thirdly, the Torah was given in the dessert. In the dessert there is shortage of food, drink and extras. So someone who wants to succeed in Torah must be willing to sacrifice extras and be willing to manage with the minimum.
Rabbi Meir Schapiro zt"l the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin gives the following explanation.
We find that Jews in all generations were willing to sacrifice their lives whether being killed, burnt, drowned or tortured whenever they were put to test and forced to go against the Torah or to abandon their faith in Hashem. From where did the Jews receive this amazing strength to withstand such suffering?
The answer is, that there were three major incidents in Jewish history of which the Jews had Mesirus Nefesh for Emunah in Hashem and His Torah.
The first was when Avraham Avinu was thrown into the furnace by Nimrod for not willing to abandon his faith and believe in idol worship.
The second time when the whole Klal Yisroel marched into the sea by Kriyas Yam Suf, following the command of Hashem, although it looked like a suicidal move.
The third was when the Jews all entered the desert, a place of danger, where there is plenty of snakes and dangerous animals. Furthermore, they went into the desert with nearly no food and took nearly nothing with them.
These three incidents implanted the power of Mesirus Nefesh into all of Klal Yisroel that they will forever be able to be Moser Nefesh for Torah and Mitzvos.
Jews in all generations were forced to give up their Emunah and Torah studies. Even today Torah students and their studies are under threat. But the Mesirus Nefesh from then, still continues and exists today and however hard and difficult it may be. They will not be deterred.
The Rebbe Reb Shmelke from Nikilsbourgh when he was tired he would go to sleep sitting on his chair holding a burning candle between his fingers in order that he shouldn't over sleep and wake up as the fire reached his fingers.
Once when Rebbe Elimelech from Lizhensk came to visit him, he convinced him to rest a bit on a bed. When Reb Shmelke fell asleep, Reb Elimelech closed the window, put a blanket over him, and Reb Shmelke slept till the morning. When he woke up fresh and with a clear mind he said "from now I have learnt that one can serve Hashem with sleep too!"
This story can be understood a lot better with the following story.
The Great Rabbi Aharon from Karlin was sitting at the table, surrounded by many of his followers. He took an apple, made a Beracha and started eating. One of his followers started
