RAMAT RACHEL, JERUSALEM

Modern Ramat Rachel is a small Kibbutz (Population: 351) established in 1926 on a hilltop overlooking Bethlehem and the Tomb of Rachel (818 m above sea level). Ramat Rachel is situated about midway between the Old City of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. This site was first inhabited from the Israelite Period (8th Cent. BC) and continued until the early Muslim Period (10th Cent. AD). In the modern era, the area has experienced some of the worst phases of Israeli-Arab wars. The kibbutz's economy revolves around the four-star 'Ramat Rachel Hotel' and its Banquet Hall. The prime attractions include: an Archaeological Park with remains from 8th Cent BC, a lookout point (Mitzpeh Yair) from where one can observe most of the modern Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Herodion, an olive groove with 200 plants arranged around three 33 ft tall Columns and a big public swimming pool.

Since Ramat Rachel has revealed many artifacts from biblical periods, attempts have been made to identify the site. The most popular view is Beit Hakerem (House of the Vineyard) - the place from which fire signals were sent to Jerusalem at the end of the First Temple period (Jeremiah 6:1; also Joshua 15:59 of LXX and Nehemiah 3:14). The other speculation is Netofah, a site mentioned near Bethlehem (2 Samuel 23: 28; 1 Chronicles 2: 54; Ezra 2: 22; Nehemiah 7: 26; 12: 28). Some identify the place simply as "MMST" as these letters were frequently found in many of the seals excavated from the site.