The mother of Benjamin, the last of the tribe of Israel. Close by the wall built by Israel to separate Palestine from Israel so a little tense. Worth visiting but you have to ask as it's not part of most tours
Rachel’s Tomb
Located just outside of Bethlehem, along the road of the forefathers that connects Nablus and Hebron, Rachel’s tomb is where Jews and Muslims believe the foremother Rachel was buried. Rachel was the wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin, and the burial site is holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians.
According to Jewish tradition, Rachel wept from her tomb as the Jews passed it on their way to the Babylonian exile, and it subsequently became a pilgrimage site for prayer and continues to be until this day, especially on holidays and the Hebrew date on the calendar commemorating Rachel’s death. You will also see women collecting stones from around the tomb as part of a traditional belief that it will ease labor while giving birth.
The tomb is generally open 24 hours, but depending on the security situation it is sometimes closed from 10:00 pm at night until 12:00 pm the next day, and large groups may have to coordinate their visit with Israeli security.
Photo: Kluger Zoltan
TripAdvisor Reviews
Based on 64 traveler reviews“Good place to visit...especially after visiting the Tombs of the Patriarchs.”
On our first trip to Israel we went to Bethlehem on a Friday afternoon when the Tomb of Rachel was closed for the Sabbath. This time we didn't want to miss it. The Tomb of Rachel is near Bethlehem, very close to Checkpoint 300--on the Israeli side of the wall (don't go through the checkpoint,...
MoreOn our first trip to Israel we went to Bethlehem on a Friday afternoon when the Tomb of Rachel was closed for the Sabbath. This time we didn't want to miss it. The Tomb of Rachel is near Bethlehem, very close to Checkpoint 300--on the Israeli side of the wall (don't go through the checkpoint, stay on the Israeli side of the wall.) You can get to the Tomb of Rachel from Checkpoint 300 via private car, taxi, or bus (only vehicles are allowed on the short access road to the Tomb of Rachel which has the 30 foot security wall on either side and at the end--you can't walk on the access road). As we had limited time, we decided to stop at the Tomb of Rachel on our way back to Jerusalem after our Hebron Dual Narrative Tour with Abraham Tours. Abraham Tours uses public transportation, in this case it was the armored Egged bus 381 from Hebron to Jerusalem. Our Abraham Tours Guide helped us to get off the Egged bus from Hebron at the right stop--Rosemarin Street (Officially: Egged Bus 381, Ha-Rosemarin/Roads 200) and our guide pointed us in the right direction. We then used either maps.me or Googlemaps (and I had printed a Googlemap at home just in case) to stay on course to Checkpoint 300 where there were numerous taxis. From Rosemarin Sreet it was a 15 minute walk on a well lit street mostly with good sidewalks and traffic lights and signs to Checkpoint 300. We had brought good little flashlights, which were not needed, but we carry them all the time. In the taxi, within about 5 minutes--or less--we were at the doors of Tomb of Rachel. Men and women go through separate doors to separate sides of the tomb. You can return to Jerusalem, if you are sleeping there, by taxi or by Egged Bus 163. We stopped on the way back for Hebron. You can do this easily from Jerusalem, without the expense of a taxi. Egged Bus 163 goes to and from the Tomb of Rachel, from Jerusalem's Central Bus Station and other stops, several times a day. Check the Egged bus schedule for current details. Note: On the Egged website, "Tomb of Rachel" (not Bethlehem or Checkpoint 300) is the name of the stop/destination. Going to Rachel's Tomb was a nice ending to a great day. Getting the bus back to Jerusalem was easy. People at the tomb were kind and friendly. We got off the bus near the easy to spot Jaffa Gate/Mamilla Mall. This is a holy site. Dress modestly. Be covered from collarbone to well below the knee, and with sleeves to the elbow or beyond. Ask respectfully before taking any photos.
Less“Famous for curing infertility”
Nothing is simple in the Holy Land, so one might expect Rachel's Tomb to attract controversy, and so it has.. Rachel was a matriarch, favourite wife of the patriarch Jacob but she was not interred at the Cave of Machpelah. Rachel's Tomb is holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians but access is not easy....
MoreNothing is simple in the Holy Land, so one might expect Rachel's Tomb to attract controversy, and so it has.. Rachel was a matriarch, favourite wife of the patriarch Jacob but she was not interred at the Cave of Machpelah. Rachel's Tomb is holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians but access is not easy. Muslims have been deterred from entering the Tomb by the security wall. Rachel's Tomb is revered by women, who say that a visit cures infertility, among other ailments.
Less“Holy to Jews, hard to visit on tours, worth seeing though”
