(2) עגל מסכה A MOLTEN CALF — As soon as he (Aaron) had thrown it (the gold) into the fire in a melting pot the magicians amongst the mixed multitude who had come up with them from Egypt came and made it (the golden calf) by their magic art. There are some who say that Micah the idolator mentioned in Judges ch. 17, was there, who had been drawn forth from the foundations of a building in Egypt where he was nearly crushed. He had in his possession a “supernatural name” (שם) and a plate upon which Moses had written: “Come up, ox, come up, ox!” in order to raise the coffin of Joseph who is compared to an ox (cf. Deuteronomy 33:17) out of the Nile, and he cast it (the plate) into the melting pot and the calf (the young ox) came out (ויצא העגל הזה) (Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Tisa 19).

Rabbi Yochanan sat and expounded., "How did the water became for the Jews like a wall [at the splitting of the Sea]?" Rabbi Yochanan expounded, "It was like lattice-work." Serach bat Asher looked out and said, "I was there, and it wasn't like that - it was like a glass window." Rabbi Yochanan sat and expounded, "All the souls coming with Yaakov to Egypt, who came out of his loins, etc." (Genesis 46:26). With Yosef and his two sons, behold they are still lacking one (in order to add up to seventy)! Rabbi Levi in the name of R. Chama bar Chanina: "That is Yocheved, who was born at the gate of Egypt." And some say, "Serach bat Asher completed the number of Israel. 'I am one of those who seek the welfare of the faithful in Israel' (II Samuel 20:19). It is I that has completed the number of Israel. I have completed, being faithful for the faithful." Rabbi Tanchum bar Haanilai said, "The Holy One blessed be He Himself entered with them. And what is the explanation? 'He is your praise and He is your God' (Deuteronomy 10:21). What is written after it? 'Numbering seventy people, your forefathers went down to Egypt' (Deuteronomy 10:22)."