The Present Site of Rachel’s Tomb

The traditional site of Rachel’s tomb in Bethlehem was marked by a small square building with a dome. Records of this site go back to Origen (approx. ad 185–254) as recorded by Eusebius (approx. ad 265–340). The earliest eyewitness report for the current site dates from ad 333 by the “Bordeaux pilgrim.” Christians, Jews, and Muslims have revered the site through the years (Strickert, Rachel Weeping, 71–76). After the tomb was damaged by an earthquake, in 1841 Sir Moses Montefiore and his wife added walls and a long room to the dome to create more space for visitors. The first photo of the tomb dates from 1866 (Strickert, Rachel Weeping, 111–17).

From 1948–67, Arabs controlled the area surrounding the tomb, making it difficult for Jews to visit the site. After the Israeli Six Day War victory in 1967, Rachel’s tomb was reopened to Jewish visitors. In the early 1990s Bethlehem became a disputed territory, and in 1995 Bethlehem was given to Palestine while Rachel’s tomb remained open for Jews. In 1996 the Israeli government built the current fortress around Rachel’s tomb with a 13-foot-high security wall and an adjoining military post. In 2002 Rachel’s tomb was annexed to Jerusalem, extending the dividing wall around the tomb so that it is now essentially cut off from Bethlehem (Strickert, Rachel Weeping, 132–37).

Today, female visitors to the tomb may enter through the main door, while men enter a smaller space through a side door (Dresner, Rachel, 202). According to Sered, many women visiting Rachel’s tomb seek Rachel’s intercession in matters of marriage, pregnancy, and childbirth. She notes that a common practice among female visitors is to tie a red string seven times around the tomb and then wear it in hopes of receiving God’s help. Another common practice is donating oil for oil lamps that light the tomb in hope of answered prayer. Sered states that to “cry on Rachel’s tomb” is a well-known Hebrew expression, and women are expected to cry during their visit. Rachel’s tomb is a place where women have the right to pray freely and where they receive a sense of comfort from Rachel, who cries with them (Sered, “Rachel’s Tomb,” 11–13).