In the Torah portion, there is an account of the death of Rachel and of Jacob burying her alongside the road. The Sages explain why he did this.

“Rachel died, and she was buried on the path to Efrat” (Genesis 35:19). What did our patriarch Jacob see that caused him to bury Rachel on the path to Efrat? Jacob our patriarch foresaw that the exiles were destined to pass there following the destruction of the Temple. Therefore, he buried her there, so that she would plead for mercy for them. That is what is written: “So said the Lord: A voice is heard in Rama, wailing, bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children” (Jeremiah 31:14). (Bereshit Rabba 82)