Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair Splits the Ginai River
On his way to redeem captives, Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair orders the Ginai River to split. The river argues it too does Hashem's will, but finally gives way.
R’ Pinchas ben Yair was on his way to fulfill the mitzvah of pidyon shevuyim; he came to the Gina’i River and asked it to split for him so that he could continue traveling. The river refused to split for him, arguing, “You are on your way to fulfill the will of your Creator, and I am on my way to fulfill the will of my Creator. For you, it is a doubt whether you will fulfill His will or not. For me, I certainly will fulfill His will.”
R’ Pinchas ben Yair said, “If you do not split, then I will decree upon you that no more water will ever flow through you!” Whereupon, the river split. R’ Pinchas ben Yair then demanded that the river split for another Jew who was carrying wheat for Pesach because he was involved in a mitzvah (Chullin 7a).