Leonard Nimoy explains the unexpected origin of the Vulcan salute

By
Andrea Romano
 on 
Leonard Nimoy explains the unexpected origin of the Vulcan salute
Credit: The New York TImes

With the help of his rabbi, Leonard Nimoy learned how to live long and prosper long before he became Mr. Spock.

The classic Vulcan greeting made famous by his Star Trek character was inspired by a blessing from the Jewish faith, Nimoy, who died on Friday, told the Yiddish Book Center's Wexler Oral History Project in 2014.

The hand gesture is also in the shape of the Hebrew letter "shin," Nimoy explained.

"People don't realize they're blessing each other with this. It's great," Nimoy said in the video.

BONUS: 10 Leonard Nimoy quotes that inspired us to boldly go

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