The ashera represents a corruption of the intention of creation. Instead of the beautiful tree representing Hashem it has become a representative of idolatry. In a similar manner, the judge has to represent G-d's will in the Torah or else he finds himself representing idolatry. When a judge is a great scholar it is as though he was planted next to the Altar. Just as idolatry begins with incorrect conceptions about the Torah, so too does the Talmid Chacham serve to protect against such misconception and keep us away from idolatrous thoughts.
Every generation has it own passionate and misguided obsessions.
We constantly meet individuals who behave as if hedonism were a new and superior outlook on life. We, as parents and students, treat our own education, especially our Torah education, as one of many leisure activities available to us. Teachers' mastery of their subject or their capacity to serve as religious role models, becomes less significant than their powers as entertainers. We compel teachers to endlessly convince and re-convince students that while learning they are also having fun. We have to put a stop this.