9 Shvat: Will Reap With Joy

…WILL REAP WITH JOY Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women came out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam called out to them, “Sing to the Lord, for very exalted is He; a horse and its rider He cast into the sea.” (Shemos 15:20-21) The righteous women of the generation were so sure that G-d would perform miracles for them that they brought timbrels with them from Egypt. (Rashi, ibid.) After leaving Egypt, the men sang songs of praise, but the women far exceeded their joy. The women rejoiced with song, music, and dance. Since the women were more sensitive to the pain of exile, they experienced greater joy in the Redemption. Furthermore, the women did not wait until the Exodus to begin experiencing this joy. Already in exile, they prepared for that day. Even while in exile, we must harbor an inner hope and happiness and even begin our celebration, certain that Moshiach is about to come. Likkutei Sichos vol. 1 pg. 139