The material for the Jewish tombstone is stone. The first matzevah mentioned in the Bible was placed by Jacob on the grave of his wife Rachel. In later times, the installation of stone tombstones became a tradition and received a separate rite for consecration.

The tombstones of Ashkenazi Jews are usually set vertically, while those of Sephardi Jews are set horizontally. Separate structures (ohelim) are also erected at the graves of the righteous, tsaddikim, where those who come to remember the deceased can light candles and read special psalms.

Jewish matzevot, in addition to being traditional, also have originality, distinguished by both the variety of symbolism and the richness of decoration. From Jewish tombstones in cemeteries in different parts of the world, one can study the history of Jewish art from the most ancient times. On them you can see traditional menorahs, stars of David, shofars, and other symbols - a knife for the circumcision ceremony, pomegranate fruits, Torah scrolls, etc. At the same time, in Europe there are many surviving medieval tombstones that lack even simple ornaments. They only have a roughly engraved menorah, which indicates that the deceased is Jewish.

Around the 13th century, many Jewish communities began to establish takkanah (decree of halachic authorities or other competent authority), which unified the rules for compiling and applying epitaphs to Jewish matzevot.

Around the 17th century, in Eastern and Central Europe, epitaphs on matzevot began to include quotations from the Talmud or the Bible. As a rule, these were stereotypical inscriptions indicating virtue and good morals, while being different for men and women.

Beginning in the 19th century, most Western European countries began writing epitaphs for Jews in the local language. This trend appeared in Eastern European countries only at the beginning of the twentieth century. Regarding these innovations, controversy has repeatedly flared up between rabbis of different communities and countries about how permissible it is to use Hebrew inscriptions along with other languages ​​in the epitaphs of Jewish tombstones.

Also, at the beginning of the twentieth century, portraits of the deceased began to be depicted on matzevot in some countries, which is prohibited by Jewish religious traditions.

Currently in Israel, especially among Orthodox Jews, the prevailing trend is to place simple, austere tombstones containing short epitaphs in Hebrew on the graves of the deceased.