Rachel’s Tomb, an ancient tomb located in Bethlehem is felt by many people to be the burial place of the biblical matriarch Rachel. Consequently, the tomb is venerated by the Abrahamic faiths and is considered to be the third holiest site in Judaism. However, a new controversy about the site has been created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO has voted to designate Rachel’s Tomb as a mosque, a site sacred to Muslims, as the site of the Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque. UNESCO has also asked that Rachel’s Tomb be taken off Israel’s National Heritage List.
Background:
While the Talmudic literature raises some doubts about the exact location of Rachel’s burial place, some of the Talmudic material recognizes the current location as authentic. Some scholars disagree with this and interpret biblical texts as locating her burial northeast of Jerusalem near the biblical site of Ramah (modern day ar-Ram).
According to biblical accounts, Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin while on a journey from Sechem to Hebron. Genesis 35: 19-20:
"And Rachel died, and was buried on the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day."
However, the ancient tomb which has been designated as Rachel’s Tomb has only been recorded since the 4th century CE. There is some doubt as to its great antiquity.
Some scholars, citing the Book of Samuel, feel that Rachel was buried near Ramah. One possible location is marked by five stone monuments, one of which bears the name Qabr Umm beni Isra’in (the tomb of the mother of the descendents of Israel).
Many Muslims refer to the site as the Bilal iba Rabah Mosque, which they claim was built at the time of the Arab conquest of the area. Historically, however, Muslims have referred to the site as Kubat Rahel (Rachel’s Tomb) and only in 1996 did they begin to call the site Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque.
During the Ottoman period, non-Muslims were prohibited from visiting the tomb. However, in 1615, Muhammad Pasha of Jerusalem made repairs to the structure and gave the Jews exclusive use of the site.
In 1837, the tomb was damaged by an earthquake. At this time, Sir Moses Monefiore described the tomb as:
merely an ordinary Muslim Wely, or tomb of a holy person; a small square building of stone with a dome, and within it a tomb in the ordinary Muhammedan form; the whole plastered over with mortar. It is neglected and falling to decay; though pilgrimages are still made to it by the Jews. The naked walls are covered with names in several languages; many of them Hebrew.
In 1841, Sir Moses Monefiore purchased the site and obtained for the Jews the key to the tomb. He added a square vestibule to be used as a place of prayer for the Muslims. He added some additional architectural features in 1845, including a dome over the tomb.
United Nations:
In 1948 the U.N. General Assembly passed Resolution 194 which called for free access to all the holy places in Israel. In 1949, the Jerusalem Committee prepared a document which noted that the ownership of Rachel’s Tomb was claimed by both Muslims and Jews. Muslims claimed that the tomb was a place of Muslim prayer and was an integral part of the Muslim cemetery within which it was situated. According to
The Committee for Rachel's Tomb:
Since 1948 Muslims have created their own cemetery surrounding the building on three sides. For political purposes, Muslims claim that Rachel's Tomb is one of their burial plots and that it contains a Muslim notable rather than Mother Rachel.
The Committee for Rachel’s Tomb also reports:
Rachel's Tomb is a living symbol of HaShem's promise to Rachel that her children will return to the Land Of Israel. Jewish life today thrives in Rachel's Tomb. In these days, despite the on-going war of attrition people still go to recite Tehillim (Psalms), pray and learn Torah. Classes by renowned Jewish speakers are held there. Rachel's Tomb has also become a place of joy as Britot and Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations are held within it's walls.
In 1995, as the Israeli government contemplated handing over the site to the Palestinian Authority. Under the Oslo Accords, a yeshiva, learning groups, groups that recited Tehillim (Psalms) and women's classes were immediately establishmed in the Rachel's Tomb complex. These created a constant Jewish presence at this holy site.
In 1996, a group of about 500 Arabs hurled Molotov cocktails and engaged in shoot-outs with Israeli soldiers at Rachel’s Tomb.
In 2008 the Israeli government established a security fence to cordon off certain areas of the Palestinian Authority. The government routed the security fence around Rachel’s Tomb so that it is within a compound surrounded with high concrete walls and guard towers.
This diary was originally posted on Street Prophets.