During the third meal on the Sabbath, it was the Baal Shem Tov's custom to teach his disciples the secrets of the Torah. The simple folk who could not understand the mysteries of the Torah would go into an adjoining room, where they would recite the Psalms of David as best they could.
On this occasion, the Baal Shem Tov closed his eyes, becoming deeply engrossed. Suddenly his face lit up with great joy. When he opened his eyes, all of his disciples could feel his happiness. The Baal Shem Tov turned to the student sitting on his right. "Place your right hand on the shoulder of your neighbor." He ordered the next one to do the same until they all formed a chain. Then he told them to sing a melody that they sang only on the most solemn occasions. As they sang, they felt their hearts rising higher and higher.
When they finished singing, the Baal Shem Tov completed the circle by placing his hands on the shoulders of the students next to him. "Let us close our eyes and concentrate," the Baal Shem Tov said.
An intermingling of melodious voices filled the room. Some of these wondrous voices expressed unshakable faith, others were full of joyous abandon, still others expressed heart-rending appeal. They could clearly distinguish the words of the Psalms. The circle of disciples sat spellbound. Tears flowed from their eyes and their hearts were full of ecstasy, ready to burst.
Suddenly, the singing stopped, for the Besht had removed his arms and broken the chain. The Besht then explained to them how much G-d enjoys listening to the Psalms, especially when they come straight from the pure hearts of simple, honest, humble people.
"Whose voices did we hear a little while ago?" asked the disciples.
"You were listening for one brief moment to the Psalms recited by the simple people in the next room, as the angels in heaven hear them!"
