JUXTAPOSITION
Always liked that word. Useful if someone asks you for a word with a J and an X in it. Jinx will work for that one, but juxtaposition will give you many Divrei Torah and points to ponder. In past weeks, it was exciting to derive a message from the juxtaposition of Parshat T'ruma and Parshat Zachor or Purim and T'tzaveh and realize that the last time the observations could have been made was 24 years ago. The next scheduled time is 20 years from now.

But there are many other juxtapositions that occur more frequently than 4.3% of the time. Take for example, this week's juxtaposition of Parshat Ki Tisa and Parshat Para. They are together almost 42% of the time. (Para can also be on Vayaqhel, Vayaqhel-P'kudei, Tzav, and Shmini, but nowhere nearly as often.) So this week's juxtaposition isn't rare. It is common. But it makes a statement.

And because the message is obvious, it does not make it any less potent. In fact, the rare messages seem to be able to go for 20 years or more without being repeated, but a 42% of the years message is obviously a significant one that we need to reflect upon often.

Rashi, on the beginning of Parshat Chukat (from whence comes Parshat Para) in the name of Rabbi Moshe HaDarshan, says that the Para Aduma comes to atone for the Golden Calf. Detail by detail, comparisons are made between the Para Aduma and the Eigel HaZahav.

In KI TISA that we read of the Golden Calf. In addition to the juxtaposition of the Maftir to the Parsha, there is also the juxtaposition of the episode of the Eigel to the portions that precede it. The first part of the sedra deals with things most holy. The manifestation of the Sanctity of Place - the Mikdash, and the manifestation of the Sanctity of Time - Shabbat. 

And then comes the shameful story of the Calf. Can we "blame" G-d for expressing His anger (so to speak) and disappointment (so to speak) with us?

Perhaps the abstract striving for Kedusha is too much for most of us to grasp. The halachic details of Tum'a and Tahara are easier for us to relate to. Tum'a & Tahara are not ends in themselves, but they help us become a holy nation, thus repairing the Calf-induced damage.