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
