Women Pilgrims and Woman Saints: Gendered Icons and the Iconization of Gender at Israeli Shrines

The three most widespread cults of women saints in Israel revolve around figures named Rachel. Although each of these Rachels originated in a different historical period (one is Biblical, one is Talmudic, and one is modern), all three cults attract women pilgrims who come looking for "understanding." This paper suggests that women saints tend to fill very particular and narrow niches in patriarchal cultures, irrespective of the origin myths associated with the specific saint. Through emotionally-stirring visits to the saints' tombs, women pilgrims may identify with the reified "Woman" symbols that epitomize subordinate status.