“Abraham was old, advanced in years, and the Lord blessed Abraham with everything” (Genesis 24:1). “Abraham was old, advanced in years.” It is written: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it will be found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31). Rabbi Meir went to Mamla, he saw that they were all dark-haired.
He said: ‘Are you, perhaps, all from the house of Eli, as it is written: “All those raised in your house will die as young men”?’ (I Samuel 2:33). They said to him: ‘Rabbi, pray for us.’ He said to them: ‘Go and engage in acts of righteousness and you will merit old age.’ What is his source?
“Gray hair is a crown of glory.” And where can it be found? “It will be found in the way of righteousness.” From whom can you learn this?
From Abraham, in whose regard it is written: “[For I love him, so that he will command his children and his household after him,] that they observe the way of the Lord, to perform righteousness and justice” (Genesis 18:19). He merited old age – “Abraham was old, advanced in years.”