Question: The Book of Samuel places Rachel’s tomb in Benjamin at Zelzah in the north as does Jeremiah. Genesis place the tomb in Bethlehem, further south. How can this be so?

Answer: Pretty sharp question! The question is actually asked in a Tosefta (a Talmudic compilation), see the commentary of the Radak and others on the verse in Samuel who discuss it. Several answers are given. One is something like this: You will meet two men [fairly] near Rachel’s tomb (which is in Judah near the border of Benjamin which is just to its north) in Zelzah of Benjamin.

Another: as you go near Rachel’s tomb, and eventually come to Zelzah of Benjamin (where you will meet the men). Apparently the two places are not far apart.

Also see the words of the Malbim there, who understands a subtle spiritual point being made by the comparison of the two places.

Best wishes,
Michoel Reach

[Reposted from the Archives]