The Torah commands us to follow the rulings of the judges and sages, even when their decision seems to us like “right is left and left is right.” But if we are expected to listen even when we think the Sages are wrong, where is there room for our own judgment?
Imagine driving down a familiar road. A gas station that is on your left when you're going to work is suddenly on your right when you're driving home. Neither perspective is wrong—the difference is simply which direction you're facing.
Sometimes, our judgment works the same way. We can become convinced that our perspective is correct because we are looking at a situation from only one direction. Torah and wise counsel can help us recognize that we may need to turn around and look at things differently.
Like a fighter pilot experiencing vertigo, we can become convinced that we are right even when we have lost our sense of direction. A rabbi, mentor, or trusted friend can sometimes be the voice that tells us: “You're upside down. Turn around.”
True wisdom isn't refusing to change our perspective. It's being humble enough to recognize when our perspective may be wrong.