The Vulcan salute consists of an open palm with the pinky and ring fingers squeezed together on one side of the "V," the middle and pointer on the other, and the thumb extended on its own of the most iconic gestures of all time. It is instantly identifiable to most people, even if they aren't "Star Trek" enthusiasts. The "live long and prosper" hand gesture is the most recognized Jewish impact on Vulcan culture in Star Trek.
Leonard Nimoy devised the "Vulcan salute" while filming the second-season opening, "Amok Time," on the set. In this episode, Spock goes through something akin to a male estrus cycle, which the Vulcans term pon farr. Spock informs Kirk that he must return to Vulcan to mate with his betrothed bride, T'Pring, or perish trying, like a salmon swimming upstream to spawn.
Leonard Nimoy devised the "Vulcan salute" while filming the second-season opening, "Amok Time," on the set. In this episode, Spock goes through something akin to a male estrus cycle, which the Vulcans term pon farr. Spock informs Kirk that he must return to Vulcan to mate with his betrothed bride, T'Pring, or perish trying, like a salmon swimming upstream to spawn.
Is The Origin Jewish?
According to Nimoy's Star Trek blog, he grew up in Boston's West End area, with a significant immigrant population. With his family, he went to a nearby Orthodox Jewish synagogue. They were especially religious during the Jewish High Holidays. His father once told him not to look at the priests as they prepared to say the benediction, which included the gesture. This is because it is believed that the 'Shekhina,' the feminine aspect of God, during this prayer, comes into the temple. She blesses the congregation, and it is believed the accompanying light could be harmful.
To protect themselves, some people close their eyes. Like other Jewish children, Young Leonard Nimoy couldn't wait to find out what the kohanim were up to up there in front of the assembly. Nimoy sneaked a peek and remembered how upon seeing "I was mesmerized by these men's split-finger gesture. I learned to do it because it appeared to be so amazing." Around 25 years later, he invented the Vulcan salute, a variation of the hand sign with its blessing: "Live long and prosper."
To protect themselves, some people close their eyes. Like other Jewish children, Young Leonard Nimoy couldn't wait to find out what the kohanim were up to up there in front of the assembly. Nimoy sneaked a peek and remembered how upon seeing "I was mesmerized by these men's split-finger gesture. I learned to do it because it appeared to be so amazing." Around 25 years later, he invented the Vulcan salute, a variation of the hand sign with its blessing: "Live long and prosper."
Why Was the Gesture Used in the Movie if It Was Prohibited?
It's also worth noting that peeping is prohibited only during the actual blessing procedure. The gesture itself is unmistakable. It can be found in books, amulets, jewelry, wall decorations, and gravestones, among other places. Nimoy was not breaking any Jewish taboos by adopting this gesture on "Star Trek," contrary to popular belief, mainly because he changed it from the original version.
It's fantastic that something so Jewish has become a widely known peace greeting. It also allows me to welcome female Trekkers without shaking hands at conventions, as Orthodox Jews do not shake hands with people of the other gender.
It's fantastic that something so Jewish has become a widely known peace greeting. It also allows me to welcome female Trekkers without shaking hands at conventions, as Orthodox Jews do not shake hands with people of the other gender.
The Work Done Before Using The Salute
Research about the origins of the Vulcan salute for the Star Trek site. You will get to know that the gesture, which is made with both hands with thumbs joined, forms the Hebrew letter Shin, which being the first letter of Shaddai, is one of the names for God in the Torah, according to Rabbi Howard Morrison of Toronto's Beth Emeth Synagogue. The gesture wasn't easy for all of the "Star Trek" performers like Celia Lovsky, who had to glue her fingers together in an attempt for T'Pau to reciprocate Spock's greeting.
The Reply
The less well-known response is "peace and long life," which is sometimes said first, followed by "live long and prosper." "LLAP" has been used to shorten the phrase. While the exact meaning of the ancient Egyptian blessing "ankh media scene" is unknown, it uses the three symbols "life," "prosperity," and "health," and has been interpreted as "may he live, flourish, and be healthy."
