The Power of Tears: A Deeper Connection to the Soul

Have you ever noticed how a single tear can express more than many words? In humans, tears and crying are not always the same thing. Unlike other creatures that may cry out with sound, only humans shed tears when deeply moved emotionally.

Interestingly, even babies do not produce tears right away. For the first few months of life, infants cry without tears, until their tear ducts fully develop.

The Three Types of Tears

There are three main types of tears:

• Baseline tears that constantly lubricate and protect the eyes
• Reflex tears that appear in response to irritants like onions or tear gas
• Emotional tears that flow from feelings such as sadness, joy, longing, or deep connection

The first two types have clear physical purposes. Emotional tears, however, have long puzzled scientists and thinkers. What purpose do tears of emotion serve?

How Tears Protect the Eyes

Tears are produced by the lacrimal glands, which are small, almond shaped glands located near the outer edge of the upper eyelids. Their role is to protect and nourish the eyes.

Tears prevent dryness, allow the eyelids to move smoothly, and help maintain the proper level of acidity in the eye, which protects against infections. Although tears are mostly water, they also contain glucose, enzymes, and antibodies that fight bacteria trying to settle on the eye.

The Source of Emotional Tears

Baseline tears come from activity in the brainstem. Emotional tears, however, come from a different place. Neuroscientist Richard Davidson identified the right prefrontal cortex as the area responsible for emotional crying. When this area is activated, it can trigger powerful and uncontrollable tears.

This brain region is unique to humans and is especially responsive to authentic emotional signals, such as a mother responding to her baby’s cry.

Why the right side of the brain? Some suggest it relates to compassion and mercy, in contrast to the left side, which is often associated with analysis and judgment.

Rabbeinu Bechaye writes in Kad HaKemach that tears hold spiritual holiness. He describes them as a powerful expression of genuine repentance, a form of offering that connects the longing of the heart with heavenly mercy.

The Gates That Tears Open

Our sages teach that the gates of tears are never closed. Even after the destruction of the Temple, when prayer alone may face obstacles, sincere tears always reach Heaven.

The Talmud explains that even when prayer lacks emotional depth, tears that come from true regret or deep feeling can open heavenly gates and bring meaningful change.

Talmudic stories describe the great power of tears. Esau’s tears, though few, brought him temporary success. Orpah’s tears when parting from Naomi led to future strength in her descendants. These accounts teach that acts of the heart can shape history and influence the spiritual world.

Rabbinic writings also note that certain tears receive immediate divine attention, including the tears of the oppressed, the poor, orphans, and those who suffer.

When Music Awakens the Soul

Music has a unique ability to awaken tears hidden deep within us. A melody can stir memories, emotions, and longings we did not even realize we carried.

In Temple times, the Levites sang during the sacrificial service to awaken repentance and draw divine mercy closer. Even today, the melodies of the High Holidays are designed to open the heart, allowing emotions to rise and be offered to Hashem through song.

A Final Thought

Tears are not a weakness, but a gift placed within us. They allow the heart to speak when words fall short, carrying our deepest feelings upward. Whether through quiet weeping or melodies that stir the soul, tears remind us that Hashem listens not only to our prayers, but to the silent language of the heart.