Ki Tissa it better to let the people worship the Golden Calf, for which they might yet find forgiveness through repentance. And thus Rabbi Tanhum bar Hanilai concluded that it was in reference to Aaron's decision-making in this incident that can be read to mean, "He who praises one who makes a compromise blasphemes God." The Sages told that Aaron really intended to delay the people until Moses came down, but when Moses saw Aaron beating the Golden Calf into shape with a hammer, Moses thought that Aaron was participating in the sin and was incensed with him. So God told Moses
Legends of the Jews Rewarded - The Time is at Hand - The Gentiles Refuse the Torah - The Contest of the Mountains - The Torah Offered to Israel - Israel Prepares for the Revelation - The Revelation on Mount Sinai - The First Commandment - The Other Commandments Revealed on Sinai - The Unity of the Ten Commandments - Moses Chosen as Intermediator - Moses and the Angels Strive for the Torah - Moses Receives the Torah - The Golden Calf - Moses Blamed for Israel's Sin - The Punishment of the Sinners - Moses Intercedes for the People - The Inscrutable Ways