In Theory:

Last Thursday’s shootings at Fort Hood, Tex., have been met with everything from fear and anger, to disbelief, shock, sadness. Every day we are learning more about Nidal Malik Hasan, the alleged gunman, and his motivations behind the attack that killed 13 last week. What are healthy and maybe spiritual ways that we can react to this incident without adding fuel to fire of this already volatile occurrence?

Rabbi Simcha Backman: When faced with any tragedy, our first response must be to provide solace and assistance for the victims. In this case, we should extend a helping hand to family members of the deceased and injured, and give our moral support to those who were at the facility during the shooting. We should offer sincere prayers for the souls of the departed and ask God to heal the wounds of all those who were hurt — either physically or emotionally — in this horrible attack.

Obviously, we should not blame the entire American Muslim community for this offense, and we must take their word seriously when they condemn this barbaric act in the strongest terms. It’s important to recognize that there wasn’t one single factor that triggered this massacre; to say that Mr. Hasan’s religion alone led him down this violent path would be unfair.

While it is becoming evident that he had associations with radical Islamic clerics whose ideas may have helped push him over the edge, it’s also clear that that this man had some very serious psychological issues.

Spiritual people of good conscience should use the unfortunate opportunity created by this tragedy to purge the radical elements from the ranks of religious organizations. We must recommit ourselves to the pursuit of peace and justice, and reach out to those who are at risk of perpetuating violence in order to show them a better way. It is the moral responsibility of the truthful majority to rein in and eliminate the violent few who through their appalling acts spread a cloak of shame on all religion.--RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN is spiritual leader of Chabad of Glendale and the Foothills. Reach him at (818) 240-2750.

The Rev. Kimberlie Zakarian: How can we expect the American people to react to Thursday’s shootings at Fort Hood, Tex.?