Episode 13: Mistaking the Visible for the Real

In this episode of the Strive for Truth series, Rabbi Michael Cohen and I explore a powerful essay from Rav Dessler on Emunas Chachamim and the danger of mistaking surface-level events for the deeper reality behind them. We discuss how our personal biases distort not only how we see situations in the moment, but also how we connect cause and effect over time. Through examples from the Purim story, the Holocaust, and everyday life, we examine why Torah teaches us to rely on the wisdom of the sages and how much of what we confidently call “reality” may actually just be the story we’ve constructed in our own minds. Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up.Connect with Rabbi Michael CohenReach out to Rabbi Michael Cohen to learn more about his one-on-one coaching work, where he applies the teachings of Strive for Truth to help individuals untangle inner confusion, clarify priorities, and live more grounded, self-expressed lives. To inquire or connect, email him at mailto:[email protected].