How Sad That an Ancient Holy Place Must Have a Prison-like Atmosphere

Until the so-called peace process, which has been just the opposite, Jews were able to pray at Rachel’s Tomb, asking “Mother Rachel” to intercede with Hashem (G-d) on their behalf.

It is said that Mother Rachel cries for her beloved children and G-d answers her prayers.

A Broken Agreement

The agreement was that Arab holy sites in Jewish territory were to be protected by Jews and Jewish sites in Arab areas were to be protected by Arabs, with free access to pray.

Unfortunately, the Arabs did not stick to their side of the agreement.

Jews were prevented from praying at their holiest sites, which were under Arab control.

Joseph’s Tomb was torched, the ancient Jericho Synagogue was burned, and people were shot at on their way to praying at Rachel’s Tomb.

Our tour van entered into Palestinian territory in East Jerusalem that had signs saying “No Jews allowed!”

This area is within 10 minutes of the center of Jerusalem.

Too close for comfort.

Drawing Closer

We approached Rachel’s Tomb, which was surrounded by a solid concrete “security wall” that was over 30 feet high with barbed wire on top.

Although land on the other side of this wall was owned by a Jew, Nathan Strauss (the city of Natanya was named after him), that Jewish piece of real estate was taken over by Arab “squatters.”

The main gate to the Tomb was manned by Israeli soldiers who were there to protect Rachel’s Tomb from being desecrated like the rest of the Jewish holy sites in Arab control.

Although we had made reservations beforehand, we still had difficulty entering this secure area. The Tomb and the adjacent building made me think of two miniscule islands surrounded by a sea of great white sharks.

Worse Than Jail

Even the jail I worked at as my first assignment being a cop was not as secure and claustrophobic as this area.

But, a 30-foot security wall is not high enough to keep Palestinian bullets from hitting the area. Within feet of the wall the Palestinians built high-rise buildings from which to shoot down at the Jews.

We were told by our guide, “Walk fast. Don’t linger.”

We first entered the building adjacent to the Tomb. It was originally owned by a Christian Arab and sold to an American woman.

No Bullets Allowed?

But when his life was threatened for selling to a Jew, he claimed he never sold it, and the money he received as payment was a “grant.” After a six-year legal battle, the court finally ruled that the building was indeed sold to the woman.

For awhile it housed soldiers who were assigned there to protect Rachel’s Tomb. It also served as a place of learning Torah. The owner lives part of the year in the States and part of the year in Israel.

Although its windows were “bullet- proof,” they were not shatterproof.

I could see the bullet holes in the windows and the walls of the buiding.

The bullet holes were from assault rifles and shotguns, not skinny revolver and 9 millimeter slugs.

I spoke with the female owner of this adjacent building. She comes three times a week with plastic water bottles to water the trees and flowers she planted.

Originally there was water to the building, but she told us that the Palestinians dug up and stole the water pipes going to it.

Then we entered Kever Rachel. I got goosebumps on my arms and tears in my eyes as I approached the Tomb. I brought a special prayer book with me that has prayers to recite at the graves of righteous people and has a particular prayer to say at Rachel’s Tomb.

We could hear someone blowing the shofar (ram’s horn). It sounded like someone crying. It was a very moving experience, but especially sad in the fact that such a holy place that had existed for thousands of years has to be subjected to a prison-like atmosphere in order not to be destroyed or desecrated.

L'hitraot. Shachar

Shachar is the Hebrew name of a California-based attorney and former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy who moved to Israel last year.