“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...30The leftovers of money collected for someone’s burial.Rabbi Natan says: With the leftover [money] from the dead one builds a structure on his grave.31Mishna Shekalim 2:5. 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).32In this verse, all of Israel is referred to as Ephraim, a son of Rachel. For this reason Jacob built a monument on her grave, as a sign of honor for the fact that all of Israel is called by her grandson’s name, or so that people would be able to identify the spot and pray there (see Yefeh To’ar).
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).