A man once journeyed to the Baal Shem Tov with a question. He had studied the natural sciences and philosophy, and had discovered that according to the laws of nature, the Red Sea was supposed to split at the very moment of the Children of Israel's arrival there. Why, then, if it was already ordained, do we believe that the splitting of the sea was such a great thing? This question had troubled him deeply.

When he arrived at the home of the Baal Shem Tov, even before he had a chance to ask his question, the Baal Shem Tov rose and went to the study hall. There, he sent people to summon all the townspeople to hear a sermon.

According to the laws of nature, the Red Sea was supposed to split at the very moment of the Children of Israel's arrival. "There are fools and heretics in this world who have trouble believing that the splitting of the sea was a miracle," he said. "These people have eyes, but cannot see. It is written: 'In the beginning, G·d [Elokim] created the heavens and the earth.' Now, G·d's Name 'Elokim'1 has the same numerical value—86— as hatevah (Nature), for nature is also created by G·d. Thus, the Sages said on the verse, 'And the sea returned to its strength,' (Exodus 14:27) that 'G·d made a condition with the sea.'2 From the very beginning, G·d built it into the sea to split before the Children of Israel at that time. This makes the miracle even greater! For from the beginning of creation, G·d created the natural order for the sake of Israel, as it says: 'In the beginning' - for the sake of Israel, who is called 'the beginning.'3 This nature of the sea was created for Israel. Had they not required this miracle, G·d would not have built it into the sea!"

[Translation and Commentary by Eliezer Shore from Beis Yaakov, Bereishis and Beshalach for besht.com]