The Crown of Old Age and Abraham Blessed in Everything

"And Abraham was old, well advanced in days" (Genesis 24:1). It is written, "A crown of glory is gray hair; it is found in the way of righteousness" (Proverbs 16:31). Rabbi Meir went to Mamla and saw that they were all black-haired [dying young, none reaching gray]. He said to them: perhaps you are from the families of the sons of Eli, of whom it is written, "and all the increase of your house shall die as men" (1 Samuel 2:33). They said to him: Rabbi, pray for us. He said to them: go and busy yourselves with charity, and you will merit old age, as it is written, "a crown of glory is gray hair" — from where is it found? "In the way of righteousness." From whom do you learn it? From Abraham, of whom it is said, "and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness" (Genesis 18:19); he merited old age, as it is said, "and Abraham was old." "Strength and splendor are her clothing" (Proverbs 31:25) — strength and splendor are the clothing of the Torah. "And she laughs at the last day" — when does she laugh? At the last day, the giving of her reward in the time to come. From whom do you learn it? From Abraham. "Length of days is in her right hand" in the time to come; "in her left, riches and honor" in this world. Even when the Torah comes to give a person only what is on her left, she gives riches and honor; from whom do you learn it? From Abraham. "You are fairer than the children of men" (Psalms 45:3) — you were made beautiful among those above, as it is said, "the angels cry outside" (Isaiah 33:7); you were made beautiful among those below, "a prince of God are you among us" (Genesis 23:6); "therefore God has blessed you forever" — "and the LORD blessed Abraham in everything" (Genesis 24:1). "Who shall ascend the mountain of the LORD?" (Psalms 24:3) — this is Abraham. "And who shall stand in His holy place?" — this is Abraham, as it is said, "and Abraham rose early in the morning to the place" (Genesis 19:27). "Clean of hands" — "if from a thread to a shoelatchet" (Genesis 14:23). "And pure of heart" — "far be it from You to do such a thing" (Genesis 18:25). "Who has not lifted his soul to vanity" — this is the soul of Nimrod. "And has not sworn deceitfully" — "I have lifted my hand to the LORD" (Genesis 14:22). "He shall receive a blessing from the LORD" — "and the LORD blessed Abraham in everything." Abraham used to bless everyone, as it is said, "and in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). And who blesses Abraham? The Holy One, blessed be He, as it is said, "and the LORD blessed Abraham in everything." Moses was the banner of Israel, "why do you contend with me, why do you test the LORD?" (Exodus 17:2); and who is the banner of Moses? The Holy One, blessed be He, as it is said, "and he called its name the LORD is my banner" (Exodus 17:15). David was the shepherd of Israel, "you shall shepherd My people Israel"; and who is the shepherd of David? The Holy One, blessed be He, "the LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want" (Psalms 23:1). Jerusalem is the light of the world, "and nations shall walk by your light, and kings by the brightness of your rising" (Isaiah 60:3); and who is the light of Jerusalem? The Holy One, blessed be He, "and the LORD shall be for you an everlasting light" (Isaiah 60:19). "And Abraham was old, well advanced in days" — "old" [zaken] is one who has acquired [kanah] two worlds. There is a person who is in old age but not in days, and in days but not in old age; but here old age corresponds to days and days correspond to old age. "Advanced in days" — he entered through a double portal. Rabbi Berekhiah said: he entered through a passage opening onto the life of the world to come. Rabbi Yitzhak said: he came in those days of which it is written, "before the evil days come" (Ecclesiastes 12:1). "And the LORD blessed Abraham in everything" — Rabbi Yehudah says: that He gave him a daughter. Rabbi Nehemiah said: the essential part of a king's house has no blessing written of it, but "the LORD blessed Abraham in everything" means that He did not give him a daughter at all. Rabbi Levi said: three things — that He made him master over his evil inclination, that Ishmael repented in his days, and that his storehouse lacked nothing. Rabbi Levi in the name of Rabbi Hama bar Hanina: that He did not test him again.