Regarding @lydon.sipe's post on the idea that there is no ancient notion of coincidence in Judaism.
https://steemit.com/hebrew/@lydon.sipe/words-you-don-t-find-in-hebrew-coincidence-3b9a2ded3eac8
I'm sorry I kind of left you hanging for a bit, but I wanted to be very careful with this subject in a place where texts get locked. So I spoke with my Reb today to figure out how best to discuss this...
He suggested 1 condition, 2 particular things to study, and 1 analogy to demonstrate the answer in highly simplified, human terms.
The condition is well known; HaShem Echad! G-d is One!
(Devarim/Deuteronomy 6)
Next, Reb says to study Yeshayahu (Isaiah) Chapter 55 and 56 and their commentaries. Paying specific attention to 55, verses:
We just can't really understand all of time, all matter and energy, all of life, all thought, all desire, all experience, and who knows what else, all expressed infinitely, yet together as One...
He then said something like: "If he wants to go further, he can study Aristotle's questions to the Rabbis." (I can try to get the specific texts if you want, but a quick, initial google search seems ineffective in English, and it is not something I have studied, so I don't yet know where to get them.)
He then recounted an analogy. (Which will yield many questions of it's own, giving means/vocabulary/setting to get more specific.)
Imagine a 2 lane road with 2 cars rapidly heading towards each other from just a few hundred feet apart. But there is a curve so they can't quite see each other, and there are some hazards in the road upcoming for both drivers. With all the freedoms of movement that he has access to, or is limited by, each will make what he determines are the appropriate actions when he finally sees the trouble.
Now, simply imagine a third person standing on the rooftop of a building set on this road. He can see both cars, the danger ahead, and that in our hypothetical example, no matter what these 2 drivers do (and they have several choices,) there will still be an accident...
So like some of your commenters suggested, Judaism's answer is that they are not mutually exclusive. G-d is omniscient, and within the conditions He set, we have free will. But of course questioners can define and discuss, refine and discuss...
I hope this is at least somewhat in the direction you wanted to go. (There must be over 7 billion vectors here!^^) If not, just give a nudge to correct the course. And thanks too!
(Baby figuring things out from his perspective. High altitude view.)
Thanks For Your Attention and Support!
