What is dancing around the golden calf?

Dancing around the golden calf refers to a biblical story from the Old Testament of the Bible (Exodus 32:1-35). The story goes that while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from God, the Israelites grew impatient and asked Aaron, Moses' brother, to make them a god to worship. Aaron collected gold from the people and made a golden calf, which the Israelites then worshiped and danced around.

When Moses returned to the camp and saw the people worshiping the golden calf, he became angry and smashed the tablets with the Ten Commandments. He also destroyed the golden calf and punished the people who worshiped it.

The story of dancing around the golden calf is often used as a cautionary tale against idolatry, the worship of false gods or material possessions. It is also seen as a warning against impatience and the desire for instant gratification.