Sons of Heth Ten Times and Abraham the Pursuer of Kindness

"To Abraham for a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth" (Genesis 23:18). Rabbi Elazar said: how much ink is poured out, how many quills are broken, in order to write "the sons of Heth" ten times — to teach you that whoever clarifies the purchase of a righteous person, it is as if he fulfills the Ten Commandments. Rabbi Yudan said: five times it is written "and to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite" (1 Kings 2:7), to teach you that whoever feeds a morsel to a righteous person, it is as if he fulfills the five books of the Torah. "And after this Abraham buried Sarah his wife" (Genesis 23:19). This is what is written, "He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor" (Proverbs 21:21). "He who pursues righteousness" — this is Abraham, as it is said, "and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness" (Genesis 18:19). "And kindness" — for he did kindness toward Sarah. "Will find life" — as it is said, "and these are the days of the years of Abraham's life" (Genesis 25:7). "Righteousness and honor" — the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: My craft is deeds of loving-kindness; you have taken hold of My craft, come and put on My garment, as it is said, "and Abraham was old, well advanced in days" (Genesis 24:1).