<b>And Abraham was old, and well stricken in years (Gen. 24:1).</b> Scripture states elsewhere in reference to this verse: <i>A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband</i> (Prov. 12:4). This verse alludes to Abraham, who mourned for Sarah, for it was written previously: <i>And Sarah died</i> (Gen. 23:2). Abraham began to weep for her, saying: <i>A woman of valor who can find? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her</i> (Prov. 31:10). When did he demonstrate his trust in her? When he said to her: <i>Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister</i> (Gen. 12:13). <i>She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life</i> (Prov. 31:12). <i>She seeketh between wool and flax</i> (ibid., v. 13) alludes to her decision to separate Isaac and Ishmael when she said to her husband: <i>Cast out this bondwoman and her son</i> (Gen. 21:10). <i>She is like the merchant ships</i> (Prov. 31:14); <i>For the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s house</i> (Gen. 12:15), and later Abimelech sent her away. <i>She riseth also while it is yet night</i> (Prov. 31:15). When did that happen? <i>At the time Abraham arose early in the morning</i> (Gen. 22:3). <i>She considereth a field and buyeth it</i> (Prov. 31:16). She thought about the field of Machpelah and acquired it. Ultimately she was buried there, as it is said: <i>And after this, Abraham buried Sarah, his wife</i> (Gen. 23:19). <i>She girdeth her loins with strength</i> (for the birth of Isaac) (Prov. 31:17). When was that? When the angels appeared, as it is said: <i>And Abraham went into the tent unto Sarah</i> (Gen. 18:6).
<i>Who perceiveth that her merchandise is good</i> (Prov. 31:18). That was when the kings attacked them, as it is written: <i>And he divided himself against them by night</i> (Gen. 14:15). <i>She stretcheth out her hand to the poor</i> (Prov. 31:19), by giving food to passers-by. <i>Yea, she reacheth forth her hand to the needy</i> (ibid., v. 20); for she gave charity and clothed the naked. <i>She is not afraid of the snow for her household</i> (ibid., v. 21); that is, she did not fear Gehenna. And why not? <i>Because her entire household possessed garments</i> (<i>shanim</i>, punning on <i>shnayim</i>, “two”) (ibid.): Sabbath and circumcision. <i>She maketh for herself coverlets</i> (ibid., v. 22): These were the priestly garments. <i>From the fruit of her hand she planted a vineyard</i> (ibid., v. 16). This refers to Israel, as it is said: <i>For a vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel</i> (Isa. 5:7). <i>Her husband is known in the gates</i> (Prov. 31:23); that is, when he pleaded with the sons of Seth: <i>Give me a possession of a burial place</i> (Gen. 23:4). <i>She maketh linen garments</i> (Prov. 31:24) refers to the circumcision that took place, as it is said: <i>The counsel of the Lord is with them that fear Him</i> (Ps. 25:14). <i>Strength and dignity are her clothing</i> (Prov. 31:25) alludes to the clouds of glory that encircled her tent. <i>She openeth her mouth with wisdom</i> (ibid. 39:26). When was that? When she said to Abraham: <i>Go, I pray thee, unto thy handmaid</i> (Gen. 16:2). <i>She looketh well to the ways of her household</i> (Prov. 31:27) indicates that she watched every day for the return of the angel who had informed her: <i>I will certainly return unto thee</i> (Gen. 18:10).
<i>Her children rise up, and call her blessed</i> (Prov. 31:28); <i>And she said: Who would have said unto Abraham that Sarah should give children suck? For I have born him a son in his old age</i> (Gen. 21:7). <i>Many daughters have done valiantly</i> (Prov. 31:29) refers to the nations, <i>But thou excellest them all</i> (ibid.) alludes to Sarah, as it is said: <i>Look unto Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, that bore you</i> (Isa. 51:2). <i>Give her of the fruit of her hand</i> (Prov. 31:31), for it is said: <i>And the life of Sarah was a hundred and twenty and seven years</i> (Gen. 23:1).
After her death, Abraham aged rapidly, for it is written: <i>And Abraham was old</i>, and it is also written: <i>The hoary head is a crown of glory</i> (Prov. 16:31). Why was this crown of glory bestowed upon Abraham? Because he performed acts of charity. Therefore, it is written: <i>And Abraham was old</i>. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: It is sufficient for a servant to be like his master. This may be compared to a king who has a dear friend, to whom he says: “What present can I give You? You have silver, gold, male servants, handmaidens, fields, and vineyards. I will give you the crown that is on my head, and place it upon your head.” Similarly, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Abraham: Silver and gold I have given thee, as it is said: <i>And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold</i> (Gen. 13:1); now what can I give you beside the crown that is on My head? When Daniel beheld him, he said: <i>And the hair of his head like pure wool</i> (Dan. 7:9). And therefore it is written: <i>And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age</i> (Gen. 24:1).
It is written that after Sarah’s death, the Holy One, blessed be He, blessed Abraham. Why did He do that? Lest future generations declare that Abraham was blessed only because of Sarah. (And so He said to Himself:) I will bless him after her death. Hence it is written: <i>And the Lord had blessed Abraham</i>. Whence do we know that Sarah was already dead when He blessed him? It is said: <i>When he was but one, I called him, and I blessed him</i> (Isa. 51:2). <i>And the Lord blessed Abraham in all things</i> (Gen. 24:1). What merit had he acquired? He set aside tithes from all his possessions, as it is said: <i>And He gave him a tenth of all</i> (Gen. 14:20).<sup class="footnote-marker">6</sup><i class="footnote">The law of tithes requires that a tenth part of one’s earnings be set aside for charitable purposes. See <i>Jewish Encyclopedia</i> 12:150.</i> Hence it is written: <i>And the Lord blessed Abraham in all things</i>.