According to the great Tzaddik Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin, this great power was revealed to us by Yaakov Avinu. Yaakov foresaw the challenges and hardships his descendants would face during their time in Golus. He knew that they would need to be prepared spiritually to be able to endure them, and therefore wanted to instill in his children the strength and resilience necessary to withstand any trial or tribulation that may come their way. Hence, as he approached the end of his life, he imparted this crucial lesson to his children - the immense power of a Yiddishe gathering. This would help them hold on to their הָנּומֱא and values and is the key to their survival and ultimate redemption.
A Chassid once approached the Tzadik of Ruzhin seeking a piece of advice that would be of use to him for the rest of his life. The Chassid anticipated that the rebbe would require some time to consider what the most important message would be. However, to his surprise, the Ruzhiner responded right away. He stated that before the arrival of Moshiach, Yiddishkeit will be in a precarious situation and will "hang by a hair strand", and it will be extremely challenging to hold on to it. The solution, the rebbe advised, is to come together every Shabbos and engage in conversations about Tzadikim, discussing their ways and teachings. This practice would reinforce one’s הָנּומֱא and commitment to Yiddishkeit and would strengthen their connection to Hashem.
The Ruzhiner went on to explain that we find this advice in the parting words of Yaakov to his children. Yaakov Avinu summoned his sons to his deathbed with a request. “םיִמָּיַה תיִרֲחַאְּב םֶּכְתֶּא אָרְקִי־רֶּׁשֲא תֵא םֶּכָל הָדיִּגַאְו וּפְסָאֵה - Gather around so I could tell you what would happen to you at the end of days’’. “אֲשֶּׁר־יִקְרָא אֶּתְכֶּם”, the Ruzhiner said, can mean “what will cool you off”, alluding to the time before Moshiach when the fire of Yiddishkeit will dwindle in the hearts of many. The remedy to this is ''םֶּכָל הָדיִּגַאְו וּפְסָאֵה'' - make yourselves gatherings. This way you will be saved from the “frosty” attitude towards Yiddishkeit that will reign םיִמָּיַה תיִרֲחַאְּב - before the coming of Moshiach. The Rebbe concluded, saying to the Chassid, “I am sharing with you this precious counsel on three conditions. You should heed this advice, remember it, and always share it with others”. (זכרון ראשונים בהקדמה עמ' ג)
