Golden calf the words that were traditionally ascribed to Jeroboam and placed them in the mouths of the people." Friedman believes that the story was turned into a polemic, exaggerating the throne platform decoration into idolatry, by a family of priests sidelined by Jeroboam. The declarations of Aaron and Jeroboam are almost identical: After making the golden calf or golden calves both Aaron and Jeroboam celebrate festivals. Aaron builds an altar and Jeroboam ascends an altar (Exod 32:5–6; 1 Kings 12:32–33). In "Legends of the Jews", the Conservative rabbi and scholar Louis Ginzberg wrote that the worship of the golden calf was
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