Leonard Nimoy, who played the overly logical part-human, part-Vulcan hero Spock on “Star Trek,” passed away Friday at the age of 83.
To quote Spock’s most famous recurring line, Nimoy certainly lived long and prospered.
Though he had a wide-ranging career that included acting on stage and screen, directing, and writing, Nimoy was (and will be) forever associated with Spock.
The character’s signature gesture, as most people with moderate pop culture knowledge know, was his split-finger Vulcan salute greeting.
The salute, which Nimoy devised himself, was taken from a Jewish prayer. The split-finger gesture represents the Hebrew letter shin.
In the video below, Nimoy digs deeper into the salute’s Jewish origins.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
