Songs of Joy in Times of Trouble

During the Yom Tov festivals in Lublin the chassidim sang and danced with striking exuberance. One opponent of Chassidus came to the Rebbe's inner room and asked in disbelief, "How can this be? When such troubles and calamities threaten Am Yisroel, they dance and sing with joy?" The Chozeh answered, "It says, 'And He saw their troubles when He listened to their song' (Tehillim 106:44). When does the Holy One look upon the troubles of His children? When He hears their songs of joy."