Adapted by Rabbi Israel Rubin
On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, the Haftarah selection we read in the Synagogue is taken from Jeremiah (chapter 31:14). The heartrending plea of our Matriarch Rachel and the Divine response to her cries reads as follows:
"Thus said the L-rd: a voice is heard on high, lamentations and bitter weeping, - Rachel weeps for her children. She refuses to be consoled as her children are gone.
Thus replied the L-rd: "Keep your voice from weeping and prevent your eyes from tears, for your efforts and endeavor will be rewarded, says G‑d. They shall return from the land of the enemy. There is hope for your future, declares G‑d: Your children shall return back to their boundaries."
The Midrash describes a vivid heavenly dialogue when the Babylonians were destroying Jerusalem's Holy Temple. The souls of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob came to intercede before the Heavenly throne for the children of Israel in their hour of trouble, but to no avail: our Partriarch's call went unheeded.
At that moment, our Matriarch Rachel broke forth, crying: "Master of the Universe! You know how I saved my sister Leah from embarrassment by allowing her to wed Jacob in my stead. You, too, should forgive my children who have sinned and are now being exiled. Have mercy!"
G‑d responded, "For your sake, Rachel, I will restore Israel to their land." (Eichah Rabbah 24)
Why Rachel?
Rachel's unique background will help us appreciate why only she could elicit a favorable Divine response in that most difficult time.
"Rachel died, and was buried on the way to Ephrath - at Bethlehem. And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave; it remains the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day." (Gen. 35:19-20)
Rachel passed away at the young age of thirty-six on the 11th day of the month of Cheshvan in the year 2198 (1560 BCE), after a difficult birth to her son Benjamin. The family was then in the process of moving from Mesopotamia to Israel, so Rachel was buried at the wayside instead of at the prominent family plot in Hebron, the famous resting place of all the other Patriarchs and Matriarchs. Indeed, Jacob had to explain the unique situation to his son Joseph, whom Jacob had instructed to transport his remains hundreds of miles from Egypt for burial to Hebron.
A Loving Mother
The unique location of Rachel's burial is no mere circumstance, but by Divine Providence. Years later, cruel King Nevuzaradan's armies marched thousands of Jewish captives to Babylon on the road past Rachel's outlying gravesite. Like a loving motherly goodbye, Rachel's presence inspired the exiles, knowing that someone was out there for them.
Rachel is certainly well positioned to plead
the case. Her opportunity to rest near her beloved husband was sacrificed for the sake of the children, so she could be with them in a time of need. Rachel could not have rested in peace while her children languished and suffered in exile. A passionate caring mother, Rachel watched and looked out after her children, assuring them that there is a point of return, that there is light of
Redemption at the end of the long dark tunnel.
Point of Return
Rachel stands out among the Matriarchs as the unconditionally loving mother. Her devotion knew no limits, extending herself even to rebellious children who deserved punishment. Only Rachel could arouse G‑d's mercy, and assurance of the ultimate Redemption. Just as our ancestors received Rachel's encouragement on their way out into exile, so do we turn today to Mother Rachel for guidance and inspiration as we approach the Redemption with Moshiach.
As the spiritual matriarch of the Diaspora, Rachel personifies the cry for the return of Israel. Refusing calm or comfort, Rachel teaches us to persist in face of adversity. She is not afraid to present her demand, refusing to be silenced, calmed or pacified. Rachel teaches us to reach out to the wayward Jew "lost among the nations," and share the good news that we will ultimately return to the physical and spiritual borders of the Holy Land.
Place of Prayer
Rachel's isolated burial site in the middle of nowhere is now a most important Jewish landmark. Rather than just an interesting tourist attraction, we have deep emotional ties to Rachel's Tomb, where Jews from around the world come to unburden their troubled hearts to a loving and caring mother.
Standing alone, Rachel's tomb equals Hebron's Tomb of the Patriarchs as a historic place of prayer. Travelers stopped by Rachel on their way to Hebron and Egypt long before King Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem. Pilgrims came regularly from as far as Damascus and the Euphrates valley to pour their hearts out at Rachel Tomb.
Rachel's Tomb is a special place for personal prayer and meditation. Due to Rachel's difficulty in conceiving and her death in childbirth, it represents hope for the bar
ren and childless.
Rachel's Tomb is not a symbol of death and mourning, but of life, roots and continuity, a monumental tribute to the dedication of a Jewish woman. Grief was part of her experience, but Rachel maintained the vision of a better future.
Then and Now
Rachel's Tomb has become a flashpoint in Israel's struggle with terrorism.
Originally, Rachel's monument consisted of twelve stones, representing each of the tribes. Later an open-walled canopy shelter was erected of stone and mortar.
In 1841, the famous philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore obtained permission from the Turkish Government to restore the tomb. He built the large, two room building we know today. On his last gift a month before he died in 1885, Montefiore pledged to have it renovated.
In 1864, the Sefardic Jews of Bombay donated the sum necessary to dig a well for thirsty pilgrims, and Chief 
Rabbi Rav Chazan wrote a warm letter of thanks for their support.
Recently, Rachel's tomb has been expanded and fortified for protection against Arab attack and sniper fire, after the torching of Joseph's Tomb in Shechem by Palestinians one year ago. A high protective stone wall with indented arches now buffers Rachel's Tomb from the road.
Joseph at His Mother's Grave
Early mention of the Jewish tradition of praying at righteous person's gravesite is found in this interesting Midrash. Only seven years old when his mother died, Joseph was kidnapped at age seventeen and taken to Egypt. As the caravan passed Bethlehem, he bolted and ran to his mother's grave. "Mother!" he cried, "Save me. Save me!"
"Do not fear," his mother Rachel's voice answered. "Go with them, and may G‑d be with you." Consoled and strengthened, Joseph returned to the caravan that eventually put him on the road to slavery, allegations and prison, from where he eventually rose to become viceroy in Pharaoh's Palace.
Picture Captions:
A youth speaks to 'Mother'
Top: Painting by Meyer, 1803
Middle: Rachel's Tomb in the '80's
Bottom: Kever Rochel today, with a new security wall
The velvet curtain on Rachel's Tomb
