Study Bava Metzia folio 59B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
And this is known as the oven of akhnai. The Talmud asks: What is the relevance of akhnai, a snake, in this context? Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: It is characterized in that manner due to the fact that the Rabbis surrounded it with their statements like this snake, which often forms a coil
After failing to convince the Rabbis logically, R' Eliezer said to them: If the halakha is in accordance with my opinion, this carob tree will prove it. The carob tree was uprooted from its place 100 cubits, and some say 400 cubits. The Rabbis said to him: One does not cite halakhic proof from the
R' Eliezer then said to them: If the halakha 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. R' Yehoshua scolded the walls and said to them: If Torah scholars are contending with each other in matters of halakh
R' Eliezer then said to them: If the halakha is in accordance with my opinion, Heaven will prove it. A bat kol emerged from Heaven and said: Why are you differing with R' Eliezer, as the halakha is in accordance with his opinion in every place that he expresses an opinion?
R' Yehoshua 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? R' Yirmeya says: Since the Torah was already given at Mount Sinai, we do not regard a bat kol, as You alread