But it is not simply a physical gathering of multiple individuals that is required from us, there is more to it. Reb Elazar Azkari, the Baal HaChareidim, raises a question that is apparent when we read the pesukim of בִּרְכוֺת יַעֲקֹב. As discussed, Yaakov asked his children to gather around him. וּפְסָאֵה םיִמָּיַה תיִרֲחַאְּב םֶּכְתֶּא אָרְקִי־רֶּׁשֲא תֵא םֶּכָל הָדיִּגַאְו. When the Shevatim were assembled around him in anticipation of his final words of wisdom. Yaakov Avinu started by instructing them: “םֶּכיִבֲא לֵאָרְשִי־לֶּא וּעְמִׁשְו בֹקֲעַי יֵנְּב וּעְמִׁשְו וּצְבָּקִה -Come together and listen, sons of Yaakov; listen to Yisrael, your father’’. Why did Yaakov instruct his sons to come together and listen when they were already close to him?
He answers according to the Zohar on the possuk דָחֶּאְב אּוהְו וּוּנֶּביִׁשְי יִמ ''” (איוב כג יג) But He is One, and who will answer Him? This verse is understood as saying “He (Hashem) is One”, but if we were to translate it literally, it would be “He is in one”. Rabbi Abba questions the meaning of Hashem’s “being in one” and explains that Hashem only manifests Himself in a place of oneness, where there is unity, and not where there is separation.
According to this principle, the Chareidim explains that Yaakov's first request was to assemble physically, and the second one was to unite spiritually. This is because Yaakov wanted his children to be loyal and close to Hashem, and that the Shechinah should dwell with them, and this can only happen when there is unity between them. The Divine Presence of Hashem only rests upon the Yidden when they are unified as one. With his repeated instruction to come together, Yaakov meant to tell his sons to take away any hatred or jealousy they may have towards each other and unify as though they were one person with one soul. This would bring them closer to Hashem, making a place for the Shechinah to rest upon them. (ספר חרדים בחתימת הספר פרק עד)
The Maor Veshamesh highlights the incredible power that lies within a group of people coming together to seek a deeper connection with Hashem, and clarifies what their mindset must be in order to achieve this.
He writes that when each individual humbly recognizes their limitations and respectfully acknowledges the unique strengths of others in the group, trying to learn from one another how to serve Hashem with greater devotion and clarity, they tap into the wonderful phenomena described in the Gemara's proverb: "More than the calf wishes to suck, the cow wants to suckle" (פסחים קיב ע"א), which implies that Hashem's desire to give is far greater than our want is to receive. All we have to do is turn towards Him to accept the great blessings He wants to bestow upon us and the closeness He wants to grant us.
When we gather with a shared goal of seeking Him, all the gates of ועוׁשְיֺת and blessing are opened, and great mercy and kindness are showered upon the Jewish people. (מאור ושמש פ' ויחי ד"ה הקבצו)
