P.T., assuming you are correct, that Chazal had some special status which we can never attain, l’mai nafke minah, so what? They didn’t disseminate the Divine wisdom they learned all that comprehensively l’dorei dorot. So are still left with the mysterious existence we call life. But, the piyyut aside (and I point out that martyrology we recite on Tisha b’Av does not refer to R. Yishmael ascending on high with an inquiry), I don’t think Chazal had any special or superhuman powers. What primary source says they did?
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