Final answer:
The scriptures do not specify the length of time Moses mourned the Israelites' idolatry of the golden calf. Angry at the sight, he broke the tablets of the Law and took actions to address the transgression, later interceding on behalf of the people with God.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the period of mourning that Moses observed after discovering the idolatry of the golden calf by the Israelites. However, the scriptures do not provide a specific length of time that Moses mourned for this particular instance of idolatry. What the scriptures do detail is his reaction: in terrible anger, Moses threw down and broke the stone tablets containing the commandments (Exodus 32:19). Following this act, Moses took steps to address the idolatry, including grinding the golden calf into powder, scattering it on the water, and making the Israelites drink it (Exodus 32:20).
Afterward, Moses went back up Mount Sinai to plead with God on behalf of the people (Exodus 32:31-32), which indicates he was anguished by their actions. The process of atonement and intercession may be seen as a period of mourning and reflection. The Bible also mentions a subsequent 40 days and 40 nights that Moses spent on Mount Sinai during which he fasted and wrote the words of the covenant on new tablets (Exodus 34:28). While it is clear Moses was deeply troubled by the people's actions, we do not have a specific duration for his mourning over the golden calf incident.