289 - Shortness of Breath - Parshas Va'eira on Regulation

The Embodied Jewish Woman with Rena Reiser

In this week’s episode of Parsha, Parts, and Polyvagal - Connecting Torah Insights to Your Inner World and Nervous System, we delve into a powerful insight from Parshas Va’eira. We explore the pasuk: “But they did not listen to Moshe, because of their shortness of breath and hard labor” (Shemos 6:9). Together, we unpack the layers of meaning behind this pasuk through the lens of Rashi and the Maharal, uncovering timeless lessons about how stress and overwhelm affect our ability to truly listen, connect, and find clarity.

We discuss how life’s challenges—and the anticipation of them—can create a “shortness of breath,” both physically and emotionally. These moments can leave us feeling stuck, unable to breathe deeply or access our inner calm. But there’s hope: by calming our minds and bodies, we can reclaim the deep breath that helps us navigate life’s challenges with greater ease.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The connection between our perceptions of stress and how our bodies respond.
• How our nervous system reacts when overwhelmed, whether through fight-or-flight or shutdown.
• A guided practice to help you gently reconnect with your breath and body. This exercise is especially for those moments when life feels too heavy or you can’t seem to find a way to slow down.

Take a moment for yourself today. Let this episode remind you that even in the midst of life’s challenges, there is always a path back to calm and clarity.