Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the anatomy of the lung and its five lobes. Later, the Gemara on 49a notes that the lungs bring light to the eyes.

As we often observe in Psychology of the Daf, to the mystic, a natural physical or anatomical phenomenon is meaningful in spiritual dimensions as well, since the physical world is a lower-form reflection of a deeper truth. The process of lungs filling up with air that gives a good feeling, or the sense of panic and restriction that exists when expressed by tight breathing, is not merely an emotional or physiological response.

During their brutal slavery, the Jewish people could not even hear Moshe’s message due to “their shortness of breath and grueling work” (Shemos 6:9). They lacked expansiveness of spirit; they could not breathe, nor think big or see big.

Likkutei Halachos (Ohr Hachayim, Pesach 3) expands on this theme. The Hebrew word for Egypt (Mitzrayim) has a root that connotes narrowness (tzar). This theme of breathing, expansiveness, and Egypt repeats itself throughout the story. Early on, Pharaoh describes Yosef as “a man that has the spirit (breath) of Elokim in him” (Bereishis 41:38). When Yaakov discovers that Yosef is indeed still alive, “His spirit (breath) is revived” (Bereishis 45:27). The Jewish babies were decreed to drown in the Nile (Shemos 1:22), depriving them of breath. God declares, “I am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide and I will fill it” (Tehillim 81:11). The open mouth is the restoration of the ability to breathe, and is the giving of the Torah with its five books, corresponding to the five lobes of the lung.

A trending health and recovery focus is on breathwork, and apparently for good reason. Breathing is one of the few bridges between voluntary and involuntary systems. Most bodily functions—heart rate, digestion, hormonal regulation—operate automatically. Breathing is unusual because it can function automatically or be consciously controlled.

When you deliberately slow, deepen, or alter your breathing, you can influence systems that are otherwise largely outside conscious awareness. This is one reason breathwork can produce noticeable psychological effects relatively quickly.

Traumatized individuals may:

 • Hold their breath.

 • Breathe shallowly.

 • Remain in chronic physiological vigilance.

It follows to reason that mindful regulation of breath can reduce those states. The brain is constantly making inferences about whether the environment is safe.

• Rapid, shallow breathing often accompanies fear, stress, or exertion.

 • Slow, controlled breathing is associated with rest and safety.

Psychologically, this creates a feedback loop. Emotions affect breathing, but breathing also affects emotions.

For example, when someone slows their exhalation, the nervous system often shifts toward a more parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) state. The person may then experience reduced anxiety, not merely because they are “relaxing,” but because the body is sending signals that conditions are relatively safe.