Very briefly, a bunch of rabbis are arguing about how a kiln/oven should be kept pure. Rabbi Eliezer has his opinion, and all the other Sages disagree with him.
Eliezer tries every logical angle to convince them he’s right. They won’t budge. He declares that if he’s right, a carob tree will uproot itself and move. The nearest carob tree uproots itself and moves 400 cubits. They still insist he’s wrong, replying that we don’t make laws based on trees. He declares that if he’s right, the nearby stream will show it. The stream flows backwards. The Sages reply that we don’t legislate based on streams. He declares that the very walls of the building will show it, and they begin to collapse inwards. Rabbi Yehoshua scolds the walls (“cut it out; this isn’t your fight”), and in deference to his stature, the walls stop, though remain bent.
Finally, Rabbi Eliezer declares that if he’s right, the Heavens themselves will confirm it. The sky parts, and the voice of God rings out: “Why do you disagree with Rabbi Eliezer? He is correct, as he always is in these matters.”
Rabbi Yehoshua stands up, and replies. “The Torah is not in Heaven. We will decide the law based on majority rule, as it says in the Torah.” (I.e. thanks for the Torah; we’ll take it from here. The proper practice is whatever you can convince everyone it is.)
God smiles, and says to his angels, “my children have triumphed over me.”
The Sages rule against Eliezer, burn anything he had declared pure in his oven, and ostracize him.
