Final answer:
The Hebrews lost their ability to show initiative because they were enslaved in Egypt, which drastically limited their autonomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The people of Israel were robbed of their ability to show initiative during their slavery in Egypt. After moving to Egypt to escape famine, they were initially welcomed by the Hyksos dynasty. However, with the rise of the New Kingdom, the Hebrews' situation deteriorated, and they found themselves enslaved. This is depicted in the biblical narrative where the Hebrew leader Moses eventually leads them out of Egypt. During their enslavement, their lives were governed by their Egyptian masters, which significantly reduced their ability to act on individual initiative and make autonomous decisions.