At their first yechidus with the Rebbe, in Tishrei 5729 (1968), Rabbi Zalman Leib and Mrs. Raizel Estulin were overcome with emotion. After many years of struggle in the chassidic underground in Russia, they had been able to emigrate to Eretz Yisrael, and were finally speaking to the Rebbe face to face!

True to chassidic tradition, Mrs. Estulin’s thoughts were not self-centered. Instead, she was worried about her sister and brother-in-law, Rabbi and Mrs. Yaakov Lepkivker. They had applied to the Soviet authorities for emigration visas. Knowing of his involvement with the chassidic underground, the Russian authorities had told Rabbi Lepkivker: “You will rot here. Never will you leave Russia.”

On the Estulins’ note to the Rebbe, the first item was a request for the Lepkivkers’ emigration.

When the Rebbe read their note, he gave a blessing for the Lepkivkers, but Mrs. Estulin felt there was something lacking; she had hoped to hear more powerful words of assurance. Breaking into tears, she told the Rebbe of the Lepkivkers’ bitter situation.

The Rebbe listened patiently and answered: “Where would you be today if you had listened to the KGB? G‑d performed a miracle and took your family out of Russia. Now a greater miracle is needed. But tell me: Does it make any difference to G‑d whether He has to make a great miracle or a small miracle?”

A few months later, Rabbi Yaakov Lipskier went to yechidus. Rabbi Lipskier was Rabbi Lepkivker’s brother-in-law, so he too would always mention the Lepkivkers before making any requests for his own needs. Each year, the Rebbe would give the Lepkivkers a blessing, but from the way in which he spoke, Rabbi Lipskier understood that the time for their deliverance had not yet come.

That year, before the Rebbe even looked at his note, he told him: “In several months, you will see your brother-in-law.”

And indeed, several months afterwards, the Lepkivkers were in Eretz Yisrael, thanking G‑d for His miraculous providence.