Parashat Ki Tissa

Surely there is no more unfathomable event then the making of the Golden Calf. The Jewish people had just received the Torah at Mount Sinai . They had just had an experience of revelation that brought them as closer to G-d than any people . Yet, almost immediately afterwards they found themselves worshipping the image of an animal made of metal. How can we understand this?

the Netivot Shalom (Rav Shalom Noach Borzovsky of Slonim) gives one explanation which is I think, an accurate reflection of human nature. When things are given to us with no effort on our part, the engagement is simply not that strong consequently neither is the commitment .It's only when we have given of ourselves that we truly become connected and committed. This expresses itself most clearly in a moment of crisis and this was what made the Golden Calf possible

When panic spread at Moshe's delayed return. The experience of Mount Sinai, as revelatory and G-dly as it had been, lost it power. For the people had essentially been passive participants.

A covenant doesn't necessarily require thunder and divine fireworks but it does demand the committment of both sides , G-d , and his people.