Rabbi's Tears Prevented Palestinian Control of Rachel's Tomb
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Thousands visit Rachel's Tomb annually, a site with a history of Israeli efforts to retain control. During the Oslo Accords, Rabbi Menachem Porush's emotional plea to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin reportedly led to a reversal of a decision to transfer the site to Palestinian control. The tomb, mentioned in Genesis, has undergone historical changes and remains a significant pilgrimage destination symbolizing Rachel's maternal plea for her children.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Menachem Porush's emotional plea to Yitzhak Rabin reportedly prevented Palestinian control of Rachel's Tomb.
- Thousands of worshippers visit Rachel's Tomb annually, especially on the 11th of Cheshvan.
- During the Oslo Accords, there was a plan to transfer Rachel's Tomb to Palestinian Authority control.
- The structure of Rachel's Tomb has been modified and secured over centuries.
- The site is a significant pilgrimage destination rooted in Jewish tradition and scripture.
Each year on the 11th of Cheshvan, thousands of worshippers visit Rachel's Tomb near Bethlehem to commemorate the passing of Rachel, the matriarch. Beyond its significance as a site of prayer and supplication, the tomb holds a historical narrative of Israeli efforts to maintain control over it.
During the Oslo Accords period, there was a possibility that the complex would be transferred to Palestinian control. Rabbi Menachem Porush and then-Knesset Member Hanan Porat actively worked to prevent this. According to Rabbi Porush's account, he met with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, becoming so emotional that he wept. Porush recounted telling Rabin, "How did you decide to transfer Rachel's Tomb? The decision is now in your hands." He described Rabin's reaction as stunned and embarrassed, with Rabin asking if he was so moved. Porush replied, "Rachel's Tomb is our soul," and continued to cry. During the same meeting, Eitan Haber, Rabin's bureau chief, informed Porush that the decision to transfer the site to the Palestinian Authority had been reversed, according to Porush's version of events.
The structure identified as Rachel's Tomb has undergone numerous transformations throughout history, with its earliest mention in the Book of Genesis. In the 19th century, philanthropist Moshe Montefiore renovated and expanded the site, adding an entrance room. A notable artifact from this period is a heavy wooden door with a special lock, whose opening mechanism was reportedly known only to the tomb's caretakers.
Historically, the tomb was recognizable by its dome, but its appearance has significantly changed due to security measures and the construction of concrete barriers. Rabbi Porush also recounted a visit after the Six-Day War with Rabbis Aryeh Levin and Chaim Shmuelevitz, describing intense weeping and emotion. Rabbi Levin reportedly cried out "Mommy Rachel," while Rabbi Shmuelevitz tearfully quoted scripture about continuing to cry, as there is reward for one's actions.
The connection between Rachel the matriarch and prayer, particularly weeping, is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, referencing the verse from Jeremiah: "A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children." Today, Rachel's Tomb remains a pilgrimage site, especially around the 11th of Cheshvan, symbolizing Rachel as a mother seeking mercy for her children and the enduring connection to the site across generations.
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