?Saru Maher min ha?Derech ? ?. What are the connotations of ?Maher??
R. Bachye #1: They already forgot the wonders that they saw at Ma?amad Har Sinai and were already serving idols whilst the Shechiah was still on the mountain. 1
R. Bachye #2 (citing Pesikta Zutr?sa): ?Wretched is the Kalah who commits adultery even whilst she is still under the Chupah?. 2
Seforno: Before Hashem had the chance to give them the entire Torah she?bi?Kesav written by Him 3 ? as it was on the first Luchos, which Moshe now broke.
R. Bachye: As the Pasuk writes in Shir Hashirim 1: 12 ?Ad she?ha?Melech bi?Mesibo Nirdi Nasan Reicho? and in Tehilim 106:12 ?Maharu Shach?chu Ma?asav Lo Chiku la?Atzaso?. See R. Bachye.
R. Bachye ibid.: As the Pasuk writes in Shir Hashirim 1: 12 ?Ad she?ha?Melech bi?Mesibo Nirdi Nasan Reicho? ? ?stank with the stench of the Eigel?.
Refer to 2`4:12:12:5*.
To whom did they prostrate themselves?
Moshav Zekenim (in Pasuk 6): Some prostrated themselves to Hashem, and some to the calf. 1
Hadar Zekenim (in Pasuk 6): They prostrated themselves to the calf as a sign of Kavod, not in order to worship it.
Refer to 32:6:151:1-4.
