It was no surprise that the world lost Leonard Nimoy today. He had been very sick for some time. There will no doubt be many reflections written about him in the coming days and some will of course mention the "Live Long and Prosper" hand symbol from Star Trek.
Playing Spock in both television and movie versions of Star Trek, Nimoy's character used the hand gesture used by kohanim (Jewish priests) for his Vulcan salute. Leonard Nimoy created the Vulcan sign from his childhood memories of the kohen blessing the congregation in synagogue.
The following video by the Yiddish Book Center is a wonderful, in depth perspective of the Jewish life of Leonard Nimoy and he explains the background for the famous Vulcan salute:
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| Leonard Nimoy wearing a tallit (prayer shawl) and showing the Vulcan salute |
Playing Spock in both television and movie versions of Star Trek, Nimoy's character used the hand gesture used by kohanim (Jewish priests) for his Vulcan salute. Leonard Nimoy created the Vulcan sign from his childhood memories of the kohen blessing the congregation in synagogue.
The following video by the Yiddish Book Center is a wonderful, in depth perspective of the Jewish life of Leonard Nimoy and he explains the background for the famous Vulcan salute:
