The Jordan Split in the Merit of Abraham and Jacob

"And the waters that came down from above stood and rose up in one heap, far off from Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan" (Joshua 3:16). You find that all the miracles done for Israel were done in the merit of Abraham. The exodus from Egypt was in his merit, as it is said, "For He remembered His holy word to Abraham His servant, and He brought forth His people with joy" (Psalms 105:42-43). The splitting of the Red Sea was in his merit, as it is said, "to Him who divided the Red Sea into parts" (Psalms 136:13), and it is written, "which passed between these pieces" (Genesis 15:17). The splitting of the Jordan was in his merit, as it is said, "You ascended on high, You led captivity captive, You took gifts among men (ba-adam)" (Psalms 68:19). Rabbi Yehudah son of Rabbi Simon in the name of Rabbi Yochanan says: We find in the Torah, in the Prophets, and in the Writings that Israel crossed the Jordan only in the merit of Jacob. In the Torah: "for with my staff I crossed this Jordan" (Genesis 32:11). In the Prophets: "Israel crossed this Jordan on dry land" - that is, Israel the elder. In the Writings: "What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn backward?... before the God of Jacob" (Psalms 114:5-7).