Rachel Imeinu, wife of Ya’akov Aveinu, passed away upon giving birth to Binyamin (Benjamin). It happened during the journey from Beit El southwards, on the eleventh of the Hebrew month of Cheshvan in the Hebrew year 2208/1553 BCE. As the Torah tells us: “Rachel passed away. She was buried on the road to Efrat, which is Beit Lechem. Ya’akov erected a monument on her grave which is the monument of Rachel’s grave until this day.” Bereishit chapter 35 verses 19 and 20.
When Ya’akov buried Rachel, each of his sons took a stone and placed it on her grave. Ya’akov then took a large stone and placed it on top of all the other stones. This act became the first marking of her grave, and is one of the reasons for the custom of placing a stone upon a grave after visiting it.
Due to Divine Providence, Rachel was not buried by her husband’s side in the family burial plot in Hevron, but rather alone along the side of a deserted road. G-d wanted His children to be able to gain strength from visiting her as they were forced into exile after the destruction of the First Temple in 423 BCE. As they passed alongside her resting place they would cry out and she would beseech G-d on their behalf. These events are famously recorded in the prophet Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah) and other sources.
From the fifth century CE until the mid-1800’s, the site was marked by a small dome upheld by four beams. In 1841 the famous philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore and his wife (who, like Rachel, was childless) added walls to the dome, and added a long room where visitors could find shelter from the weather, rest or have a bite to eat. In more recent times, more and more have come here. Due to security needs, the entire structure has been enlarged and reinforced to the point that the original building is now completely enclosed by the strong, protective structure, allowing many more to come and pray securely.
View this fascinating 1935 film footage of the famous Cantor Reb Yossele Rosenblatt singing at Kever Rachel
Just the mention of “Kever Rachel” unleashes floodgates of emotion. Indeed, Rachel continues to cry out to G-d on behalf of the Jewish Nation. Her resting place is considered one of the holiest of places here in the Holy Land. The tradition of visiting Rachel’s burial place and pouring out one’s heart to G-d continues to this very day.
Inspired by many visits, I began to artistically envision the old black and white photographs of Kever Rachel expressing themselves with the colors, light and emotions of the prayers expressed here.
Thus began a journey to take the original structure and infuse it with color and light in the hope of communicating the need for hope; that what we are all going through, challenging as it may be, will ultimately be good, and that G-d will send us His blessings. All in the right time, in the right amount, and in the most pleasant of ways.
May G-d hear and answer favorably our prayers for the safety, security and success of our dear soldiers, the return of our dear brothers and sisters from captivity to their homes safe and whole, the healing of all those who are injured, and may He send us the Redemption speedily in our days, the ultimate in good news. Amein.
Kever Rachel / Rachel’s Burial Place
Print available on paper or canvas
Many thanks to the following for their data and photographic assistance: Chabad.org, JewishLife, Refoel Davis and Shay Liran.