Genesis Rabbah 82:10

Genesis Rabbah 82:10 — Sefaria version 'The Sefaria Midrash Rabbah, 2022' (CC-BY) (CC BY)

“Jacob established a monument upon her grave; it is the monument of Rachel's grave until today” (Genesis 35:20).

“Jacob established a monument” – we learned there: The leftover [money] from the dead...Rabbi Natan says: With the leftover [money] from the dead one builds a structure on his grave. Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel taught: One does not craft structures for the righteous; their words are their memorials. We learned that Israel was called by Rachel’s name, as it is stated: “Is Ephraim a dear son to me?” (Jeremiah 31:20).

Another matter, “Rachel died, and was buried on the way to Efrat” – what did Jacob see that led him to bury Rachel on the way to Efrat? It is because Jacob foresaw that the exiles were destined to pass there. This is why he buried her there, so she would ask for mercy upon them. That is what is written: “A voice is heard in Rama, wailing, bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children” (Jeremiah 31:15).

Jacob buried Rachel on the road because he 'foresaw that the exiles would pass on from thence, therefore he buried her so that she might pray mercy for them.'

Whole of 82:10; the Rachel passage is the final paragraph: 'It is because Jacob foresaw that the exiles were destined to pass there. This is why he buried her there, so she would ask for mercy upon them' (key phrase given in Soncino-style wording). Sefaria footnotes stripped; the ellipsis in 'The leftover [money] from the dead...' is in the source (abbreviated Mishnah Shekalim 2:5 citation).