Parashat VaYishlach describes the death of Rachel Imeinu and her burial “On the road to Efrat, which is Bet Lehem.” Since the times of the Talmud, tradition has identified the Tomb of Rachel at the northern end of the city of Bet Lehem
Today, the complex around the traditional tomb is built as a fortress. The inner structure was built by Sir Moses Montefiore (1784 – 1885). The tomb of Sir Moses and Lady Judith Montefiore in Ramsgate, England is an exact replica of the structure built over Rachel’s Tomb.
One does not see the actual tomb, but a cenotaph (stone marker) above the tomb. The cenotaph is covered with a cloth on which are embroidered the words of Yirmiyahu’s prophecy concerning Rachel Imeinu[31:14-16]:
“So says the Lord: A voice is heard on high, lamentation, bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, she refuses to be comforted for her children for they are not. So says the Lord: Refrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for there is reward for your work, says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. And there is hope for your future, says the Lord, and the children shall return to their own border.”
