[An oven] that was cut into parts and sand was placed between the parts, Rabbi Eliezer maintained that it is pure (i.e., not susceptible to ritual impurity). The other sages said that it is susceptible to ritual impurity....
On that day, Rabbi Eliezer brought them all sorts of proofs, but they were rejected. Said he to them: "If the law is as I say, may the carob tree prove it." The carob tree was uprooted from its place a distance of 100 cubits. Others say, 400 cubits. Said they to him: "One cannot prove anything from a carob tree."
Said [Rabbi Eliezer] to them: "If the law is as I say, may the
aqueduct prove it." The water in the aqueduct began to flow backwards. Saidthey to him: "One cannot prove anything from an aqueduct."
Said he to them: "If the law is as I say, then may the walls of the house of study prove it." The walls of the house of study began to cave in. Rabbi Joshua rebuked them, "If Torah scholars are debating a point of Jewish
law, what are your qualifications to intervene?" The walls did not fall, in
deference to Rabbi Joshua, nor did they straighten up, in deference to Rabbi
Eliezer. They still stand there at a slant.
Said he said to them: "If the law is as I say, may it be proven from
heaven!" There then issued a heavenly voice which proclaimed: "What do
you want of Rabbi Eliezer -- the law is as he says..."
Rabbi Joshua stood on his feet and said: "'The Torah is not in
heaven!'1" ... We take no notice of heavenly voices, since You, G-d, have
already, at Sinai, written in the Torah to "follow the
majority."2
Rabbi Nathan subsequently met Elijah the Prophet and asked him: "What
did G-d do at that moment?" [Elijah] replied: "He smiled and said: 'My
children have triumphed over Me, My children have triumphed over Me.'"
