In what is probably the most anti-climactic event in Jewish history, the nation that was about to receive the Torah from Moshe turns away from the will of Hashem. After 40 days they begin to worry that Moshe will never return and they panic. Hashem immediately commands Moshe to descend Mount Sinai in order to admonish his corrupt nation. As Moshe comes down the mountain he hears tumultuous shouts emanating from the people who were celebrating their new found deity.
Moshe listens and amends the theory.
When Moshe sees the Golden Calf he breaks the Tablets and restores order, sanity, and the belief in Hashem. What is strange about the episode is the contrast of the sounds made and the sounds heard. They should both have heard the sound of celebration and festivity. The children would recite orally from the Mishnah or Talmud and Rav Chaim would reward them generously with sweets and money. Once a group of secular Jews decided to dupe Rav Chaim.