Our Sages noted that “whoever never witnessed Simchat Bet HaShoeva (the joy accompanying the drawing and pouring of the water) has never in his life seen true joy.”
The Rebbe teaches that although the original rejoicing was in the Temple, today, too, we can have this service – just as today we can carry out the service of the sacrifices by davening.
From the year 5741 (1980), the Rebbe delivered a talk after Maariv on each night of Sukkot, explaining the significance of that particular day and of the Ushpizin (spiritual guests) who come to visit.
That year some chassidim celebrated Simchat Beit HaShoeva by dancing first in the shul and later in the streets. The Rebbe encouraged their practice and explained the advantage of bringing the holiness outside of the shul into the streets.
