Bereshis 35:20

20 And Ya’akov set up a matzevah upon her kever; that is matzevet kevurat Rachel to this day.

Bereshis 35:20 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 35:20

And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave
A sepulchral monument erected in memory of her; this according to Benjamin of Tudela

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 was made of twelve stones, according to the number of the sons of Jacob, and over it was a vault or roof, supported by four pillars: that [is] the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day;
it continued to the times of Moses, the writer of this history, and to the times of Samuel, as appears from ( 1 Samuel 10:2 ) ; and even travellers of late times affirm it to be seen still, to the north of Bethlehem, on the right hand of the way as you go from Bethlehem to Jerusalem; but the present sepulchral monument, as Mr. Maundrel says ^F6, can be none of that which Jacob erected, for it appears plainly to be a modern Turkish structure. Near the grave are found some little black stones, which strangers pick up, and are fancied to be helpful to women, to give them an easier birth, the same the above traveller says resemble peas. The Jews that pass by it were used to engrave their names on the stones, of the pillars ^F7.
F5 ltinerar. p. 47.
F6 Journey from Aleppo p. 87.
F7 Benjamin. Itinerar. ib. Adrichom. Theatrum Terrae Sanct. p. 19. Bunting's Travels, p. 75.

Bereshis 35:20 In-Context

18 And it came to pass, as her nefesh was in departing, (for she died) that she called shmo Ben-Oni (Son of Affliction); but aviv called him Binyamin.

19 And Rachel died, and was buried on the derech to Ephratah, which is Beit- Lechem.

20 And Ya’akov set up a matzevah upon her kever; that is matzevet kevurat Rachel to this day.

21 And Yisroel journeyed, and pitched his ohel beyond Migdal-Eder.

22 And it came to pass, when Yisroel dwelt in that land, that Reuven went and lay with Bilhah pilegesh aviv and Yisroel heard it. Now the Bnei Ya’akov were Sheneym Asar (Twelve);