RACHEL'S TOMB

Rachel's tomb is considered a Jewish Holy Place: the Book of Genesis reports that Rachel died in childbirth, giving birth to Benjamin, near Bethlehem on the road to Efrat. Jacob erected a monument on her tomb, topped with twelve stones, for each of his twelve sons who gave birth to the twelve tribes of Israel. For a long time, this was a place of pilgrimage for women of all religions who were unable to give birth, but today the site is almost adjacent to the separation wall, and access to it is largely restricted.