What are the connotations of "ki Faru'a Hu ..."?
Rashi #1: It means "their shame and disgrace were exposed". 1
Rashi #2 (5:4): It means that they were rejected.
Ramban: It means that they had become negated 2 (lost their identity) - They were "a nation bereft of counsel, devoid of common sense!" 3
Seforno and Targum Yonasan: It means that their evil tendencies had now been exposed. In fact, Aharon had now made it known that there were no Tzadikim among them, because had there been Tzadikim to support him when the people congregated against him, he would never have made the Eigel (Seforno). 4
Rashbam: It means that they were idle from Mitzvos. 5
Hadar Zekenim: Refer to 32:22:1:4.
As in Bamidbar 5:18.
As in Mishlei, 1:25 and in Divrei ha'Yamim 2, 25:19 (Ramban).
Refer to 32:25:1:3*. The question remains however, that the entire tribe of Levi were on the side od Aharon.,as they were about to prove when Moshe announced 'Mi la'Hashem elai!'?
As in Mishlei, 1:25 & 4:15.
What is the meaning of "ki Fero'ah Aharon le'Shimtzah be'Kameihem"?
Rashi: It means that Aharon had now revealed them, to be a disgrace in the mouths of their enemies. 1
Ramban #1: It means that Aharon had negated them, stripping them of all counsel and moral values 2 - even those whose intentions in making the Eigel were not negative. 3
Ramban #2: It means that Aharon had made them small before their enemies, or minimized their merits when fighting them. 4
Seforno and Targum Onkelos: It means that Aharon had exposed them with the result that they now had a bad reputation among their enemies". 5
Rashbam: It means that Aharon had caused them to become a mockery in the eyes of their enemies.
Targum Yonasan: It means that Aharon caused their holy crowns 6 to become exposed and duly removed. 7
Moshav Zekenim: It means that their merits will be decreased 8 when they fight with their enemies.
It means that, through him it became known that Yisrael were Meizid. Refer to 32:21:1:4.
Targum Yonason: And they had acquired a stigma for all generations. Da'as Zekenim, Hadar Zekenim - they have numerous idols, and they mock us for the one that we made!
Leaving them like "a flock without a shepherd" Melachim 1, 22:17) - the very opposite of the notion that the Eigel would lead them in place of Moshe (See Ramban).
Since they now acquired a bad name among their enemies (like Targum Onkelos. Refer to 32:25:1:3 (Ramban).
As in Yechezkel, 29:15 and Yirmiyah, 10:24 (Ramban).
Who would claim that they were unable to uphold a covenant that they made and that there was not one good person among them, inasmuch as they did not respect their prophet and leader - not because all of them, or even most of them, sinned, but because not one person got up to protest (Seforno). Refer to 32:20:1:1*. Moshe rectified this however, when he announced "Mi la'Hashem Elai!", and the entire tribe of Levi responded (Seforno on Pasuk 27).
Targum Yonasan: Which they received when they declared 'Na'aseh ve'Nishma!', and on which the great Name of Hashem (Havayah) was engraved, Refer also to 33:4:1:2.
See Torah Temimah, 33:6.
What is the meaning of "be'Kameihem"? To whom does it refer?
According to most commentaries (Refer to 32:25:2:1-7), it refers to the enemies of Yisrael.
Ramban #2 (citing Targum Onkelos) and Targum Yonasan: It means that the stigma of the Eigel will carry forward to future generations of Yisrael, who will take their cue from those who made the Eigel and do likewise. 1
Moshav Zekenim: It refers to the tribe of Levi. 2
How could Aharon allow such shame to come on Yisrael?
Moshav Zekenim #1: Aharon was concerned that the tribe of Levi would pour scorn Yisrael because of the Eigel. But now that Aharon, who was from Levi, made it, ths would denigrate Levi, and they would be unable to scorn Yisrael.
Moshav Zekenim #2: Aharon intended Yisrael to receive a Kaparah when they hear the nations shame them because of the Eigel, and they would be unable to answer them.
