One of the four matriarchs; Jacob's second and favorite wife. Jacob served her father, Laban, for seven years to marry her, but was tricked into marrying her elder sister, Leah. He worked seven more years for Rachel. Mother of Joseph and Benjamin; died near Bethlehem while giving birth to the latter. Became the symbol of the compassionate mother (Jer. 31:14–16). Her story is told in Genesis 29:6–35:20.
The Bible gives different locations for her burial place: "on the road to Ephrath – now [GlossaryPlace, 130001 | Bethlehem]" (Gen. 35:19); and in the territory of Benjamin (I Sam. 10:2 and Gen. 31:15). The problem is discussed in the Midrash (Gen. R. 82:10), Tosefta (Sot. 11:11) and Sifrei (Deut. 352). The tradition concerning the present site on the Jerusalem-Bethlehem road dates back to the fourth century in Christian sources and the tenth century in Jewish sources.
The Jews customarily visit the tomb on the 14th of Heshvan, the traditional anniversary of her death, on Rosh Hodesh eves, in the month of Elul and during the Ten Days of Repentance. But the tomb is a year-round pilgrimage site, with people coming to pray mainly for good health and for spouses for their unmarried children.
