ויאמר ליוסף הנה אביך חולה…(ויחי מח:א)

A Chassid came to the holy Ostrovstzer Rebbe zt’’l with a complaint.  He was ‘mazkir’ – mentioned a sick family member’s name to the Ostrovstzer to daven for a Refuah Shlaima, and the patient was still ill.

The tzaddik replied, “Why am I to blame that Hashem didn’t send a healing to your sick family member?” The Chassid answered his Rebbe, “ Chazal say, “כל שיש לו חולה בתוך ביתו ילך אצל חכם ויבקש עליו רחמים” – one who has a sick family member in his home shall go to a tzaddik to beg mercy for him.”

The holy Ostrovstzer answered, “Think into it. It doesn’t just say “ילך אצל חכם שיבקש עליו” – that the tzaddik should daven for him. It says ויבקש עליו רחמים – the sick person should do two things: First, ילך אצל חכם – he should go to a tzaddik whose merits are great and can daven to destroy the decree. Second, ויבקש עליו רחמים – the sick person should daven to Hashem too and ask for Divine mercy, not just rely on the Rebbe.