The Oral Talmud with Benay Lappe and Dan Libenson Episode 48

[W]e learned in a mishna there (Kelim 5:10): If one cut an earthenware oven widthwise into segments, and placed sand between each and every segment, Rabbi Eliezer deems it ritually pure. Because of the sand, its legal status is not that of a complete vessel, and therefore it is not susceptible to ritual impurity. And the Rabbis deem it ritually impure, as it is functionally a complete oven.

And this is known as "the oven of akhnai." ... The Sages taught: On that day, when they discussed this matter, Rabbi Eliezer answered all possible answers in the world to support his opinion, but the [other] Rabbis did not accept his arguments from him. After failing to convince the Rabbis logically, Rabbi Eliezer said to them: If the law is in accordance with my opinion, this carob tree will prove it. The carob tree was uprooted from its place one hundred cubits, and some say four hundred cubits. The Rabbis said to him: One does not cite proof from the carob tree. Rabbi Eliezer then said to them: If the law is in accordance with my opinion, the stream will prove it. The water in the stream turned backward and began flowing in the opposite direction. They said to him: One does not cite proof from a stream. Rabbi Eliezer then said to them: If the law is in accordance with my opinion, the walls of the study hall will prove it. The walls of the study hall leaned inward and began to fall. Rabbi Joshua scolded the walls and said to them: If Torah scholars are contending with each other in matters of law, what is the nature of your involvement in it [that is, it's none of your business]? The Talmud relates: The walls did not fall because of the deference due Rabbi Joshua, but they did not straighten because of the deference due Rabbi Eliezer, and they still remain leaning to this day. Rabbi Eliezer then said to them: If the law is in accordance with my opinion, let Heaven prove it. A Divine Voice emerged from Heaven and said: Why are you differing with Rabbi Eliezer, as the law is always decided in accordance with his opinion in every place that he expresses an opinion? Rabbi Joshua stood on his feet and said: It is written: “It is not in heaven” (Deuteronomy 30:12). The Talmud asks: What is the relevance of the phrase “It is not in heaven” in this context? Rabbi Yirmeya says: Since the Torah was already given at Mount Sinai, we give no regard to a Divine Voice, as You already wrote at Mount Sinai, in the Torah: “Incline with the majority” (Exodus 23:2). Since the majority of Rabbis disagreed with Rabbi Eliezer’s opinion, the law is not ruled in accordance with his opinion. The Talmud relates: Years later, Rabbi Natan encountered Elijah the prophet and said to him: What did the Holy Blessed One do at that time, when Rabbi Joshua issued his declaration? Elijah said to him: The Holy Blessed One smiled and said: My children have defeated Me, My children have defeated Me.

(11) Surely, this Instruction which I enjoin upon you this day is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach. (12) It is not in the heavens, that you should say, “Who among us can go up to the heavens and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?” (13) Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who among us can cross to the other side of the sea and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?” (14) No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it. (15) See, I set before you this day life and prosperity, death and adversity. (16) For I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His laws, and His rules, that you may thrive and increase, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land that you are about to enter and possess.

(1) You must not carry false rumors; you shall not join hands with the guilty to act as a malicious witness: (2) Do not follow the crowd to do wrong; and when you give testimony, do not incline with the majority to intervene in a dispute and pervert justice; (3) nor shall you show deference to a poor man in his dispute.