I have a question for Rabbi Weinberger... What happened was a tragedy and a Jew is a Jew. I know that more than most. We are lost to who we are first. However, there are many people including myself who struggle with the belief in G-d and why he allows these things to happen. Of course there is no answer that can adequately explain all the exiles, pogroms, murders and anti-Semitic sentiment. No answer can explain away the holocaust or the murders in Pittsburgh. Furthermore, a caparison is not needed. The life of one Jew lost is the same value as millions. We don't measure tragedy by the numbers. What I would like to engage in discussion, is the idea of coincidence. Science will tell us that a set of parameters led to this tragedy. However, unfathomable, the incalculable amount of choices collided to a triggered event. Traditional Jewish thought teaches us that there is no such thing as "coincidence" in terms of it's meaning by English standards. Not to say that G-d orchestrated this terrible event. Although, through a measure of free will, personal decisions and contradiction to differing movements, the tragic events was inevitable as contrary actions which forced a collision between what is required to be Jew through traditional and time honored tradition and practices and the integration of our free will and enactment of free choice contrary to the either the burden or gift (however, one may interpret), which is incumbent upon each Jew whether realized or not. On the morning of this tragedy we read the Parsha of Vayera. As we know this is the Parsha relating to Sodom and Gomorrah. While every synagogue in the entire world was reading about Sodom and Gomorrah; this terrible and horrific event was unfolding. So the question remains. is this coincidence? I make no claim of judgement. My actions in my own life do not allow me to do so, nor do I wish to do so. I see this only as a tragedy and nothing more. I respect you Rabbi and will continue to respect you no matter what answer may be given. However, as I have been taught the Torah is a guide book for how to interpret life and prepare for different events. When we read the encounter with Yaakov and Eisav, we look at how to engage with others. Relationships with our spouses and children and even where to live are covered in terms of encampments. When things, positive or negative happen in life we are asked to be comforted by the fact that nothing is coincidence. Again, the question remains. is this coincidence? If not, and we all know that a Jew is a Jew, than what can we learn from this horrible event as introspective to who we are? Not as a country, not as a culture, but as a people and a birthright? And if there is something to be learned from this tragedy; what can we teach our children to avoid this from happening, if not a coincidence?