The Talmud: The Many

In that day Rabbi Eliezer gave every response in the world. And they did not accept his view.

He said to them, "If the law is as I say, let this carob tree prove it." The carob tree was uprooted a hundred cubits from its place. And some say four hundred cubits.

They said, "There is no bringing verification from a carob tree."

He responded and said to them, "If the law is as I say, let the water duct prove it." The water duct turned backwards [i.e., the water reversed and flowed upstream].

They said to him, "There is no bringing verification from a water duct."

He responded and said to them, "If the law is as I say, let the walls of the academy prove it." The walls of the academy bent to fall down.

Rabbi Joshua rebuked them [the walls]. He said to them, "If scholars dispute with one another about the law, how is it your concern?" They did not fall down, out of respect for Rabbi Joshua. And they did not straighten, out of respect for Rabbi Eliezer. And they are still standing bent.

He responded and said to them, "If the law is as I say, let them prove it from the heavens." A voice emanated and said, "What [standing] do you have beside Rabbi Eliezer, for the law is as he says in every case."

Rabbi Joshua stood on his feet and said, "It is not in the heavens."

What is the meaning of "It is not in the heavens"? Rabbi Jeremiah said, "[The meaning is] that the Torah has already been given at Mount Sinai. We do not pay attention to a voice, for You have already written at Mount Sinai in the Torah: 'to follow the many.'

Rabbi Nathan met Elijah. He said to him, "What did the Holy One Blessed Be He do at that time?"

He said to him, "He laughed. And He said, 'My children have defeated me. My children have defeated me."'

 

From Tractate Baba Metzia 59b.