Star Trek 'Vulcan Salute'

CredoFidoSpero · #1 (**permalink**) 05-19-2009, 03:05 PM

Bitemybible: Star Trek 'Vulcan salute' is biblical

Fascinating.

LadyFlynt · #2 (**permalink**) 05-19-2009, 03:09 PM

Wow...but no surprise. Just a Geek thing

***Semper Fidelis*** · #3 (**permalink**) 05-19-2009, 04:18 PM

I remember reading this in Edersheim but hadn't seen it pictured.

MrMerlin777 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-19-2009, 04:24 PM

I saw an interview with Leonard Nemoy a few years ago where he mentioned that he had got the idea for the Vulcan greeting from seeing the blessing when he was in temple as a child.

Re4mdant · #5 (**permalink**) 05-20-2009, 09:10 AM

BJClark · #6 (**permalink**) 05-20-2009, 10:17 AM

I heard this years ago as well..

Quote:

the gesture is done with both hands - making getting it right twice as difficult.

It's really not that difficult to do, not even with both hands..

Wannabee · #7 (**permalink**) 05-20-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJClark

I heard this years ago as well..

Quote:

the gesture is done with both hands - making getting it right twice as difficult.

It's really not that difficult to do, not even with both hands..

I find it easy too. But I've seen people who couldn't do it to save their lives. I guess dexterity in this is not universal.

***Semper Fidelis*** · #8 (**permalink**) 05-20-2009, 01:29 PM

Edersheim (from Sketches of Jewish Social Life):

Quote:

The prayers were conducted or repeated aloud by one individual, specially deputed for
the occasion, the congregation responding by an "Amen." The liturgical service
concluded with the priestly benediction (Num 6:23,24), spoken by the descendants of
Aaron. In case none such were present, "the legate of the Church," as the leader of the
devotions was called, repeated the words from the Scriptures in their connection. In
giving the benediction, the priests elevated their hands up to the shoulders (Sotah, vii.
6); in the Temple, up to the forehead. Hence this rite is designated by the expression,
"the lifting up of the hands."64

According to the present practice, the fingers of the two hands are so joined together
and separated as to form five interstices; and a mystic meaning attaches to this.
It was a later superstition to forbid looking at the priests' hands, as involving physical danger.
But the Mishnah already directs that priests having blemishes on their hands, or their
fingers dyed, were not to pronounce the benediction, lest the attention of the people
should be attracted.

BJClark · #9 (**permalink**) 05-20-2009, 03:47 PM

I thought this was also interesting..

STAR TREK: The Jewish Origin of the Vulcan Salute

Quote:

The actual blessing is done with both arms held horizontally in front, at shoulder level, with hands touching, to form the Hebrew letter "shin." This stands for the Hebrew word for "Shaddai", meaning "Almighty [God]." Nimoy modified this gesture into one hand held upright, making it more like a salute. So, technically, the Vulcan greeting is not the same thing as the ceremonial Jewish blessing. Still, the resemblance is close enough to evoke instant recognition among knowledgeable Jews.

Quote:

During the synagogue service, the worshippers are not supposed to look at the kohanim while the blessing is being given. The reason for this is to focus our attention on the words of the prayer itself, rather than on the personalities of the kohanim. The kohanim are merely the channels, not the source, of the blessing, which comes from God. Unfortunately, all sorts of silly superstitions have arisen about this ritual, such as "Don't look at the kohanim, or you'll go blind!" and other nonsense. The real reason is simply to focus on receiving blessings directly from God, not from human beings.

Kevin · #10 (**permalink**) 05-20-2009, 04:28 PM

I must be as big a geek as JC, I've known this since I was a kid.