Abraham Crowned for Steadfast Love at Sarah's Burial

[(Genesis 24:1:) NOW ABRAHAM WAS OLD.] This is what Scripture says (Psalms 25:10): "All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and truth." The beginning of the Torah is steadfast love, its middle is steadfast love, and its end is steadfast love. Its beginning is steadfast love, in that He rendered steadfast love to bridegrooms and to brides; He rendered steadfast love to Adam and to Eve, as it is said (Genesis 2:22): "And the LORD God built the rib." Rabbi Abbahu said: In Arabia they call braided hair "building." The Holy One, blessed be He, adorned Eve and brought her to Adam. Do you suppose that He brought her to him under an olive tree, or under a fig tree? Our Rabbis said: Thirteen bridal canopies did the Holy One, blessed be He, make for Adam and Eve, as it is said (Ezekiel 28:13): "You were in Eden, the garden of God, etc." And the least of them was of gold, for thus it is written (ibid.): "and emerald and gold." Behold, there were thirteen canopies that were made for Adam and Eve. Rabbi Levi said in the name of Rabbi Hama bar Hanina: The Holy One, blessed be He, adorned Eve with twenty-four ornaments; and not only that, but He took her by the hand and led her to Adam. Rabbi Abin the Levite, son of Rabbi, said: Happy is the provincial who has thus seen the king take her by the hand and lead her to his house, as it is said (Genesis 2:22): "And He brought her to the man." Behold, "All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and truth." Thus the beginning of the Torah is steadfast love. And its middle is steadfast love—whence? As it is said (Genesis 35:8): "And Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died." When she died, what is written? (ibid.): "And he called its name Allon-bakuth (Oak of Weeping)"—and Jacob was sitting and weeping over her. The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Shall Jacob sit and grieve? He appeared to him, as it is said (ibid., v. 9): "And God appeared to Jacob again, etc." And its end is steadfast love—from Moses, that when he departed, He buried him, as it is said (Deuteronomy 34:6): "And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab." Behold, "All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and truth." Abraham arose and cleaved to the attribute of steadfast love. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: This attribute was Mine, and you have seized hold of it; by your life, I shall make you like Myself. Whence? As it is said (Daniel 7:9): "I beheld until thrones were set, and the Ancient of Days did sit; His garment was white as snow, etc." What is written above concerning the matter? (Genesis 23:19): "And after this Abraham buried Sarah his wife." He arose and busied himself with her. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: You are worthy of a crown, as it is said: "NOW ABRAHAM WAS OLD."