The Gemara in Bava Metzia (59a) tells a story....

There was an argument between Rebbe Eliezer and the other Chachamim if a certain oven could become tahor or tamey (pure or not pure).  Rebbe Eliezer ben Hurkenos  said it could become pure.  The Chachamim disagreed.

Rebbe Eliezer said he'd prove he was right.  He said, "If I am right, let this tree show it!"

The tree then uprooted itself.  But the rabbis, said, "We don't decide halacha based on trees."

Rebbe Eliezer then said, "If I am right, let this river show it!"

The river then started flowing backwards.  But the rabbis said, "We don't decide halacha based on rivers."

Then Rebbe Eliezer said, "If I am right, let the walls of the Bet Midrash show it!"

The walls started to fall in, until Rebbe Yehoshua said to the walls, "Our disagreement is none of your business!"

The walls then stopped.  They couldn't fall, out of respect to Rebbe Yehoshua.  They couldn't stand back up, out of respect to Rebbe Eliezer.

Finally, Rebbe Eliezer said, "If I am correct, let Heaven prove it."

A Voice from Heaven spoke saying, "The Halacha is like Rebbe Eliezer!"

However, Rebbe Yehoshua said, "We do not decide Halacha by a Voice from Heaven.  It says, 'The Torah is not in Heaven.'  It was given to us, and the majority of the Sanhedrin must decide."

Click here for a story about Rebbi Yehoshua

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