The Tomb of Rachel, near Bethlehem, is an important religious landmark. It attracts people from all over the world who come here in search of solace and inner peace.

The place is surrounded by a high wall that shields it from the outside world. As soon as you enter the tomb, you feel a noticeable silence that pervades the room and pushes the outside world into the background.

Rachel, the wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin, is of central importance in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The grave is simple but impressive. There are notes everywhere with prayers and wishes on which people ask for health, peace or strength. You can feel how many generations of believers have paid their respects to this place.

The Bible describes the moment of Rachel’s death and her burial in Genesis 35:19-20: “And Rachel died and was buried by the way to Ephrathah, which is Bethlehem. And Jacob set up a tomb over her grave; this is Rachel’s tomb to this day.” These words are particularly poignant as they describe Rachel’s death in the midst of a difficult time for Jacob and his family – the loss of a beloved wife and the birth of their last son, Benjamin.

The tomb is located at a strategic point on the route between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, on the edge of the old road that connected the two cities. Historically, this place was an important traffic center and a crossing point for travelers. The exact location of the tomb has been recognized over the centuries as an important stopover, both for caravans and pilgrims.