“With their evildoing they gladden a king” (Hosea 7:3). What did He see that led Him to make the bull first of all the offerings? Rabbi Levi said: This is analogous to a queen in whose regard a bad rumor spread in connection with one of the prominent members of the royal court. The king investigated the matters and did not find them substantive.
What did the king do? He made a banquet and seated that man at the head of those dining. Why to that extent? It was to make it known that the king had investigated the matters and did not find them substantive.
So, the nations of the world antagonize Israel and say to them: ‘You crafted the calf.’ The Holy One blessed be He investigated the matters and did not find them substantive. That is why the bull became first of all the offerings. That is what is written: “A bull, or a sheep, or a goat.”
Rabbi Huna and Rabbi Aivu in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman: Israel took no part in that action, as, had Israel crafted the calf, they would have said: “This is our God.” Rather, it was the proselytes who ascended with them from Egypt that crafted it, and they were taunting Israel and saying: “This is your God, Israel” (Exodus 32:4). Rabbi Yehuda bar Rabbi Simon said: It is written: “An ox knows its owner” (Isaiah 1:3), but they did not know?
It is rather, that they trampled with the heel.16They related to their owner, God, as though He were insignificant. Similarly, “for My people are stupid, they do not know Me” (Jeremiah 4:22). Did they not know? It is, rather, that they trampled with a heel.
Similarly, “she did not know that I gave her” (Hosea 2:10). Did she not know? It is, rather, that she trampled with a heel.