בראשית, פרק ל״ה, פסוק כ״א

Following the tragic loss of his beloved wife, the patriarch continues his journey homeward, aiming ultimately to return to his father's house [רד״ק]. As he travels, a profound transformation in his character and spiritual standing becomes apparent. He is now distinctly referred to by his new name, Israel. This shift reflects how he copes with the deep sadness of losing his wife. By seeking solitude and clinging closely to God, he manages to accept his painful suffering with a sense of holiness and peace [העמק דבר]. Furthermore, the new name signifies the achievement of a new level of spiritual perfection. As long as he was married to two sisters simultaneously, there was a certain spiritual lack, and he remained Jacob. Only after Rachel's passing does he reach complete spiritual wholeness, earning the title Israel [צרור המור].

As he moves forward, he sets up his camp near a location known as the tower of Eder. The area he settles in is situated just opposite or closely adjacent to this landmark [רבנו בחיי]. The primary approach among commentators is that this location was situated just south of and very close to Bethlehem Ephrathah [רשב״ם, חזקוני, ביאור יש״ר, שטיינזלץ], though another perspective suggests it was located a bit further away from the city itself [שד״ל].

Beyond the physical journey, the arrangement of his camp reveals complex family dynamics. The tent he pitches is actually the very tent he previously shared with Rachel, which he now deliberately moves away from the center of the family camp [רש ר הירש]. Instead of moving into the tent of Leah, the mother of most of his children, he chooses to place his tent right next to that of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant. His intention is to honor Rachel's memory and potentially have more children who would be associated with her name [מלבי״ם, אלשיך]. However, this decision has severe consequences. By favoring Rachel's maidservant over Leah and keeping his dwelling separate from the rest of the family, he sparks deep resentment. This feeling of slighted honor directly motivates his eldest son, Reuben, to intervene shortly after, stepping in to defend his mother's dignity [רש ר הירש, מלבי״ם, אלשיך].