Discovering the Graves of the Righteous in Jerusalem

Grave of Shimon HaTzaddik

Location: North of the Old City.

About Shimon: Shimon HaTzaddik was a member of the Great Assembly and served as the High Priest during the Second Temple era for 40 years. The Talmud describes him as the one who welcomed Alexander the Great to the Land of Israel, and famously declared, "The world stands on three things: Torah, service, and acts of kindness" (Pirkei Avot 1:2).

Grave of Shimon HaTzaddik

Grave of the Prophet Samuel

Location: North of Jerusalem, beyond the Ramot neighborhood.

About Samuel: A leader and judge, he was the last of the Judges of Israel. The son of Hannah and Elkannah, Samuel was dedicated to divine service even before his birth. As a child, he was brought by his mother to Shiloh, where he was raised under Eli the Priest. The Book of Samuel includes several accounts of Hashem revealing Himself to him even as a young boy.

Grave of the Prophet Samuel

Grave of Avner ben Ner

Location: Behind the Cave of the Patriarchs, Hebron.

About Avner: The army commander of King Saul, he led many battles against the Philistines. Later in life, he proved loyal to David and joined his camp as a commander. Avner was ultimately murdered by Joab, who, suspecting him wrongly of espionage, pursued and killed him.

Grave of Avner ben Ner

Grave of Yosef HaTzaddik

Location: Shechem.

About Yosef: The beloved son of Jacob and Rachel, born after many years of Rachel's barrenness. At birth, Rachel saw it as a sign for another son, as mentioned in Genesis (30:24), "And she called his name Joseph, saying, 'May Hashem add another son for me.'" Joseph, being Jacob's cherished son, received a coat of many colors from him.

Grave of Yosef HaTzaddik

Grave of the Prophet Zechariah

Location: Kidron Valley (at the foot of the Mount of Olives), Jerusalem.

About Zechariah: Served as a priest and was among Hashem's great prophets during the Return to Zion, prophesying for about two years. Tragically killed for his strong rebukes against idol worship, Zechariah was stoned to death by a furious crowd while prophesying.

Grave of Dan, Son of Jacob

Location: Via the Moshavim (Highway 44), near Beit Shemesh.

About Dan: The seventh son of Jacob, born and passed away on the 9th of Elul. According to Bereshit Rabbah, Rachel became pregnant with Joseph due to Dan's birth to Jacob and Bilhah. The tribe of Dan received a blessing from Moses: "Dan is a lion's cub, leaping forth from Bashan" (Deuteronomy 33:22). He lived to 125 years.

Grave of the Prophet Jeremiah

Location: The Courtyard of the Scribes, Damascus Gate, Jerusalem.

About Jeremiah: A priest and one of Israel's foremost prophets during the late First Temple period and after its destruction. His many warnings attracted detractors and enemies, including his own family. Despite this, he offered comforting prophecies. Village residents banned him from prophesying, even threatening him with death, prompting him to pray that Hashem would avenge his adversaries. After the Temple's destruction, Jeremiah remained in the land until Gedaliah's assassination, fleeing to Egypt with his scribe, Baruch ben Neriah.