The term applied to the four mothers of the Jewish people: Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, wives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. All of them are known as "Our Mothers" (Imenu in Hebrew) and embody piety, are mentioned in many prayers and petitions. Sarah, Rebecca and Leah are buried in the Cave of Machpelah and Rachel is buried in Rachel's Tomb, near Bethlehem. Rachel is referred to in the Book of Jeremiah: "Rachel weeping for her children..." (31:15–16), where the prophet comforts the exiles and promises the return to their homeland.
