Why Do We Hear Heartbeats? 5 Points to Consider

1. Let It Beat Quietly. Why Make Noise?

Have you noticed that among all the body's organs, there's one very important organ that makes a sound when it functions? Which one is it? The heart!

Why is it the heart, an amazing pump that nourishes the entire body, that beats and makes a thumping sound – boom, boom, boom? Why, for example, do the lungs not make a sound of inflating, or the brain not make a noise like a computer processor? What is it about the heart, beating about 100,000 times a day and pumping in a healthy person about 5 liters of blood per minute, that makes it the only organ that makes a sound? Why do we hear heartbeats? Let it beat quietly, why make noise?

There are several reasons we hear heartbeats: the ability to hear beats allows us to check the heart's function and identify problems like irregular or too-fast heartbeats, which is essential for our health. Additionally, hearing the beats can provide information about our emotional and physiological state. For instance, accelerated beats indicate stress or excitement.

But there's another reason. The heart beats aloud, every moment, not every hour or once a week, to remind us every moment that Hashem is with us – "I'm here! I'm here! I'm with you! I'm with you!" A living reminder that Hashem never leaves us for a moment.

Isn't that moving?

(Photo: shutterstock)

2. Through the Lens

Have you ever tried to open your eyes in a pool? The eyes automatically close. The reasons are varied: water exerts pressure on the eyes, causing them to close automatically to protect them, and primarily it's the body's natural response to protect the eyes from external stimuli like water. If you still want to open your eyes in water, you'll need swimming goggles that seal out water, protect the eyes from chlorine and other irritants, and allow clear vision underwater.

It's impossible not to wonder: how does a fish open its eyes freely and comfortably in water without swimming goggles? How does it manage to see clearly in an aquatic environment, especially without lighting?

The fish is a fascinating creature in terms of its visual system, which is especially adapted to seeing underwater. The fish's lens is spherical, allowing it to see sharply in water, an optical medium different from air. Additionally, fish can focus on different distances simultaneously, helping them to hunt prey and avoid predators efficiently.

In the fish's eyes, the retina contains rods for vision in low-light conditions and cones for recognizing colors and patterns in its environment. The composition of receptors varies among species; fish living in deep sea or low-light conditions have more rods, while fish living in illuminated areas have more cones. The combination of these two types of receptors allows fish to see in different conditions, recognize movement and patterns, and survive in their environment.

Fish can withstand the pressure and contact of water without any issue. They have special protective layers on their eyes, like transparent membranes that protect against irritants like water currents, sand, or other impacts. They can also balance the pressure inside their eyes with the external water pressure.

The fish's eye is amazingly adapted to the aquatic environment. Every small detail teaches us about the divine wisdom that created all this perfectly, emphasizing the tremendous power and divine creativity behind creation.

3. Preparing Man's Steps

You know, our legs are truly something special. They not only allow us to walk and run but also teach us something very important – about the existence of a Creator for the world. How can that be? Here are some short and interesting examples:

The human leg is a spectacular and complex structure, including precise bones, muscles, tendons, and joints. All these work in perfect harmony, indicating that someone very wise designed it in a sophisticated way.

The legs allow us to stand upright and move efficiently, a vital trait for survival and active life. It's a perfect invention that someone with great wisdom thought of and implemented.

Additionally, legs contain thousands of nerves and millions of cells, allowing us to control them with precision and speed. This impressive ability demonstrates sophistication and precision in design.

The legs can also bear our body weight, run, jump, and perform complex movements with ease. Their strength and capability to handle a variety of actions indicate exceptional design and deep thought.

All these are clear signs that someone wise and perfect created our legs. And who can that amazing creator be if not the Creator of the world?

4. Lest the Windpipe Precede the Esophagus

The food we swallow goes on an intriguing journey through our body, carefully moving from the esophagus to the stomach. When we swallow, the tongue and palate muscles contract in wonderful coordination, pushing the food into the esophagus while preventing it from entering the windpipe. Simultaneously, other muscles close the windpipe and prevent the food from entering it. This is a crucial protective mechanism ensuring the safe passage of food to the stomach without risking the airways.

The pharyngeal valve is an anatomical structure located at the top of the throat, between the esophagus and the windpipe. It's a critical point where food and air must separate – food must enter the esophagus, and air the windpipe. During swallowing, the pharyngeal valve opens to allow food and liquids to pass from the mouth to the esophagus and then closes to prevent food or liquids from entering the airways. Thus, safe passage of food from the mouth to the esophagus is ensured, without it penetrating the windpipe.

If any food particle still reaches the windpipe, a coughing reflex is triggered – an automatic protective mechanism causing the muscles to contract and push the material out.

The amazing details of the structure and function of the pharyngeal valve indicate the supreme wisdom behind its creation. Who designed, engineered, and fashioned this complex and precise valve that ensures the person's proper functioning?

(Photo: shutterstock)

5. ‘Praise Hashem... All Winged Birds’

The wonder of a bird's wings is one of the greatest wonders in nature. Every wing is engineered supernaturally, combining an amazing system of structures and complex mechanisms.

Aerodynamic Shape – Birds' wings are uniquely designed, allowing them to cut through the air easily and generate lift. The aerodynamic shape reduces air resistance, helping the bird fly efficiently.

Rapid Wingbeats – Birds can move their wings at an incredible speed, up to about 50 beats per second, generating significant lift and enabling them to fly long distances.

Light but Strong Structure – Birds' wings are made of lightweight materials like keratin, with high structural strength. This allows the wings to be lightweight yet strong enough to bear the bird's body weight.

Wing Movement – The shape and coordinated movement of the wings create air currents that allow the bird to lift itself and fly long distances.

Beyond that, the wings contain amazing systems of sensors and control mechanisms, allowing the bird to control its movements with exceptional precision and agility. The bird can change the angle of its wings, the flapping speed, and the flight direction within a fraction of a second, according to its changing needs.

Birds' wings are an example of supernatural engineering – light bones, strong feathers, and impressive muscles. The sensor and control systems allow precise and quick movement, and every detail indicates meticulous planning and divine supreme wisdom.