Earlier, while Moses was receiving the Law on Mount Sinai, the Israelites became idolaters, engaging in calf worship and sensual pleasures.
فَبِغِيَابِ قَائِدِهِمِ ٱلْمَنْظُورِ ،‏ ٱنْقَادُوا لِلتَّجْرِبَةِ دُونَ أَيِّ رَادِعٍ .‏