עברית
Faith
Where Are All the Tribes Buried?
Question
Greetings esteemed Rabbi, is it known where the burial places of the twelve tribes are? I would greatly appreciate an answer with sources, many thanks.
Answer
Greetings,
There are differing traditions regarding Reuven. In the Sefer HaYashar (Sefer Yehoshua, under "These are the inheritances"), it is written that Reuven was buried in Ramah beyond the Jordan. However, another tradition holds that he was buried in Arbel.
Similarly, concerning Shimon and Levi, the Sefer HaYashar (ibid) states they were buried in the city of Menda. Yet the Mabit in Beit Elokim (Shaar HaYesodot, chapter 48, under "And you shall find") writes that they are buried in the village of Arbel.
Yehuda is buried in the city of Benjamin opposite Bethlehem. Issachar and Zevulun are buried in the city of Sidon. Dan is buried in Eshtaol. Naftali and Asher are buried in Kadesh of Naftali, and Gad is buried in Ramah beyond the Jordan (Sefer HaYashar, ibid).
Yosef is buried in Shechem (Sefer Yehoshua 24:32). Benjamin was buried in Jerusalem opposite the Yevusi (Sefer HaYashar, ibid). Today it is commonly accepted that Benjamin’s tomb is located east of Kfar Saba, near the settlement of Neve Yamin.
With blessing,
Hillel Meirs
