As Yaakov Avinu is about to pass away, he summons his sons to him and tells them: “Gather, and I will tell you what will happen to you at the end of days.” Many sefarim explain that this is Yaakov’s advice for surviving the immensely challenging days when Moshiach comes — if we “gather” and are united, we will find a way to manage during this last chapter of Golus.
The Ohr Pnei Moshe explains the words differently. He suggests that it is the gathering together itself that brings Moshiach and ushers in the era of Geulah. After all, Golus resulted from sinas chinam, from not being able to get along with other people for no good reason. Uniting with others is not just a way to survive the Golus; it’s also a way to end it.
Making peace is rarely simple. It can seem even more difficult when it comes to those close to us — a spouse, a child, a parent. The more we love someone the harder it is to overcome hurt feelings and the pain they have caused. When it comes to our personal struggles, we may not feel so incentivized to have the idealistic motive of bringing the Geulah closer. However, trying to keep this idea in mind and remembering that we’re part of a great mission to bring about the Geulah Shleimah, will help us find a way to overcome divisions between us, and gather together as one.
