The Sea Was Split by the Merit of Circumcision on the Eighth Day

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 241:4

Another interpretation: Alef is one, zayin is seven; behold, eight [the word az being spelled alef-zayin]. Moses said: By the merit of circumcision, which was given for the eighth day, the sea was split; with "then" (az) let us praise. Rabbi Levi said: "To Him who divided the Sea of Reeds into parts (li-gezarim)" (Psalms 136:13) - for so in the Aramaic tongue they call the circumcised "the cut ones" (gezurin). By the merit of circumcision the sea was split.

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