Parashas Vaeira · Side page (no TT primary unit)
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר מֹשֶׁ֛ה כֵּ֖ן אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְלֹ֤א שָֽׁמְעוּ֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה מִקֹּ֣צֶר ר֔וּחַ וּמֵעֲבֹדָ֖ה קָשָֽׁה׃ {פ}
But when Moses told this to the Israelites, they would not listen to Moses, their spirits crushed by cruel bondage.
Shemos Rabbah 6:2 — EXTRA.
מקצר רוח —\ldots מתוך שהיו משועבדים לא היו יכולין לשמוע.
English: “From shortness of spirit” — \ldots because they were enslaved they were unable to hear.
Custom
Chazal explain the failure to listen as the result of oppressive labor that left no room for hope.