A Jew sits in his dark house, hungry, with torn and worn clothes. His wife and children are weak and broken. His heart weeps within him for his family. In the middle of all this he recalls that today is Simchat Torah, and rays of joyous memories flash within him like lightning. His spirit revives. He runs to the synagogue for hakafot, and hurls himself into the circle of dancers. He grasps the handle of the Torah scroll and cries out “Rejoice and be glad on Simchat Torah!”

Not only the supernal angels, but also the especially lofty souls, the souls of tzaddikim, are jealous of this great self-sacrifice, the pure earnestness of simple faith. Such a Jew is dear and holy in all the worlds. We must go with such Jews to hakafot, and keeping them in mind will certainly have an effect.

(Likkutei Dibburim vol. 1, p. 8)