(9) But when Moses told this to the Israelites, they would not listen to Moses, their spirits crushed by cruel bondage.

ותקצר נפש העם בדרך, “and the people became impatient because of the length of the way.” The root קצר in the sense of impatient, occurs also in Exodus 6,9, when the people did not respond to Moses’ promises, i.e. ומקוצר רוח, “on account of an impatient spirit.” In this instance, the lengthy and strenuous detour around the boundaries of the Kingdom of Edom had tried their patience to breaking point. Rashi explains why the meaning of the word could not possibly be the “shortness of the way,” as after 38 years plus they perceived themselves as getting further away from their destination rather than closer to it. An alternate interpretation: The protective clouds shielding the people from the hot rays of the sun had ceased to function, as a result of Aaron’s death as these had been due to his merit, just as the water supply had been due to Miriam’s merit.

9. {“I am God your Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide v’amalayhu (and I will fill it)” (Psalms 81:11) .} It has been explained that the ruach-of-life is in the Torah, corresponding to, “And the ruach of God hovers over the waters’ surface.” Therefore, [when the Jews were] in Egypt, which was before they were given the Torah, they did not have from where to receive the ruach-of-life. Of them the verse states (Exodus 6:9), “[But they did not hearken to Moshe] for their ruach was short.” This was because they did not have from where to draw the ruach-of-life, which is the aspect of erekh apayim (patience), extended ruach. It was therefore said of them that “their ruach was short.” This is the antithesis of patience, which is the ruach-of-life drawn through sighing in order to provide wholeness [in place] of the lack, as above. For ruach is wholeness [in place] of the lack, corresponding to, “He will give you what your heart lacks.”