It must be emphasized that there are times when the Rebbe, through his ruach hakodesh (divine inspiration), sees that a request cannot be granted.

Once the sister-in-law of a Lubavitch woman became ill with cancer. When she heard the diagnosis, the Lubavitch lady immediately thought of seeking the Rebbe’s blessing. Although she lived in South America, she flew to New York for yechidus, anxious to hear words of reassurance.

Because she was so emotionally involved, she asked her brother to enter yechidus with her. Her brother prepared a short note telling the Rebbe that his sister would like to speak about her sister-in-law, but not mentioning the medical condition. Rather than have her request written out, his sister preferred to describe her sister-in-law’s condition orally.

When the woman and her brother entered yechidus, she gave the Rebbe the note her brother had written. The Rebbe looked at it and began speaking warmly to the woman about her own family in South America, her husband’s business, and several issues of personal concern, without making any mention of the sister-in-law! After speaking for several minutes, the Rebbe looked down at his desk, a sign that the yechidus was over.

The woman’s face turned white, and she sat frozen in her chair, unable to move or speak. From the Rebbe’s avoidance of the issue, she understood that pressing the point would be of no benefit. Struggling to maintain her composure, she mustered up the strength to leave the room. As soon as she was outside, she burst into tears.

Her sister-in-law passed away approximately a month later.