The tomb of Benjamin son of Jacob is located in an ancient domed building on the eastern outskirts of Kfar Saba in central Israel, a tiny island of tranquility between rural road 55 and zooming toll road 6.
Historians say Benjamin’s tomb was first marked by the 14th-century Mamluk ruler Tankiz, and the tradition was eventually adopted by Jews as well. The Muslims venerated Jacob and Rachel’s youngest son, whom they called Nebi al-Yamin. Above the doorway of the white-washed tomb with its blue trim, a goblet appears in relief, recalling the dramatic story of how Joseph (Rachel’s other son), viceroy of Egypt, placed a goblet in Benjamin’s pack after his brothers had come to see him as a test of their intentions (Gen. 42–43).
In keeping with Orthodox Jewish practice, the tomb has separate entrances for men and women. Inside is a domed ceiling painted with Moses’ blessing to the Tribe of Benjamin: “Beloved of the Lord, he rests securely beside Him” (Deut. 33:12). In the shady courtyard visitors are likely to encounter members of a Breslav Hassidic sub-sect. They wear distinctive wide kipot (yarmukas) bearing the words na nachma nachman m’ouman, a phrase the group says has spiritual power.
