Live Long and Prosper: The Jewish Story Behind Spock, Leonard Nimoy's Star Trek Character
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2014
- To watch the full interview, visit: www.yiddishbookcenter.org/oral...
Leonard Nimoy - Jewish actor best known for his role as Spock on the Star Trek science fiction series - explains the Jewish story behind the hand-gesture he made famous through his role as Spock in the Star Trek science fiction series.
See Leonard Nimoy's photography series inspired by the same event: www.rmichelson.com/Artist_Page...
To learn more about the Wexler Oral History Project, visit: www.yiddishbookcenter.org/tell...
"People don't realize they're blessing each other". I love that.
TheTubePortal especially seeing that when the vulcans do it they say live long and prosper, just beautiful
I like the idea of what he has given to his jewish people and shown at one of the first .. how easy it could be to do something good to others ...(you find it in Genesis : How blessed you will be ,if you bless Israel and others !)
@Toby Henderson amen
+Toby Henderson What do you mean “not 3 only one”?
A blessing here and there couldn't hurt right?
I met him once. It was way back when I was a Boy Scout, and he was at a function that we were having. He was sitting in the front, at a table and the radio announcer was interviewing him, and telling us to come up and meet Leonard. I went up and he signed a picture for me, and spoke with me for a few minutes, since no one was coming up. I gave him the Vulcan salute and he did it with his left hand and asked me if I could do it that way. Well since I am left-handed, I was able to do it. That impressed him for some strange reason and he started laughing. When this man laughed, you got to laughing too. His whole face would light up, and soon we had the announcer laughing too. He wrote on the back on the picture, "To my friend Josiel, thank you for the smiles." I still have the pic, next to some doodles by Freddie Mercury. Some of my treasures are beyond money. Damm I've been lucky!
RIP kind sir! You will be missed!
Real lucky
Nice story :) I'm right-handed, yet can only do the salute with my left hand. I'm sure he would have found that "curious"!
Don´t know what a doodle is but that´s cool
Nico Contreras
Take a look: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doodle
Oh nice, yeah I remember Freddie was a good drawer
“He’s not dead.... as long as we remember him.” -Dr. Leonard McCoy (From Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan).
"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP" - Leonard Nimoy's last tweet
They man was a profound student of human history. As a Vulcan he told us more about ourselves than he could as one among us.
Old gardeners don't die they just spade away...😁
@@klytouch5285 Old gardeners never die, they just go to seed.
זיכרונו לברכה
May his memory be a blessing.
And it is.
+w35m17h Hearing of his Jewish experiences is the blessing for me. The willingness of a Jewish person to relate Jewish history from within the Jewish world is fascinating.
It certainly will be to me also, simply because of his heritage.
@@whiteribbonman1 sending these to my kids
From a Muslim boy, who loved to watch you on television. Thank you for sharing a small part of your Jewish culture and blessing, may you forever "live long and prosperous" ^_^
Peace! ^.^
In Jewish culture, the hand gesture (two hands together showing the "Vulcan sign") is done together with the chanting of the Aharonic blessing done usually at the end of the service during Shabbat (Saturday) and Erev Shabbat (Friday night). It's a beautiful blessing.
Raised as a Christian (now would say just a believer in God..) your comment brings tears to my eyes. We need more of such understanding in the world these days. Best wishes!
adnan tariq
And now, over five years later you are no longer a boy but a young man. So I offer to you what is appropriate at this time (27 April 2020 / 3 Ramadan 1441): Ramadan Mubarak!
+Donna Diaz Fascinating. Thank You, for sharing that. Thumbs-Up #20 I am, Wednesday evening 29 April 2020.
I was in my car next to him at the toll plaza at the George Washington Bridge.I looked at him he looked at me,gave me a big smile and the Vulcan greeting.What a mensch he was,his memory is a blessing.
I would cherish that moment for the rest of my life!
Bro ur so lucky that it feels like it's almost illegal
He peeked at the sacred ritual, as a kid, and perhaps he received a powerful and very special blessing: becoming Spock and a legend in his own time and beyond!
Plus he revealed a sacred sign for all to see and use.
And in doing so, he imparted to rest of humanity a salutation that passes through the ages: Live long and prosper. For what is the value of a long life without the prospering of the soul that makes this journey. Peace and long life is the response. For what is the value of prosperity without peace!
@@victorpradha9946 what he saw was a ceremony that is based of the Moses blessing tradition.
I wonder if this sign was used by the Jewish priests in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem?
@@catherineehlers8115 Yes
Leonard Nimoy may have passed away, but he has not truly died. He has been immortalized in the people he has inspired and the legacy he leaves behind.
Rest in peace Mr. Spock. It is comforting to know that you did indeed Live Long and Prosper.
He will live in my heart forever. He meant so much to me but I was never lucky enough to meet him.
What a great storyteller he was! And he spoke Yiddish, the language of my grandparents! So touching!
This is so special for me, knowing the full story yet hearing Mr. Nimoy tell it in his own words and recently. To hear him do the initial chant and the response in Hebrew is precious. Take note that he says, "People don't know they're blessing each other with this!"
Harry Hui
I'm Catholic. And it's nice knowing that I am being blessed with this Jewish faith.
This thought is really touching.
Atheist here, but I find this so wholesome and heartwarming. I’ll always miss Leonard Nimoy.
The beginning of this chant that he speaks about ("Yivarechachor adonai") is the start of the Hebrew Priestly blessing ("May the Lord bless you") which all Christian faiths have come to use. I don't know if Muslims use it.
I will always remember my Grandfather z"l telling my brother and I to never look during the blessing, he'd hug us and cover us with his tallit and we'd hear the chant and the shofar during the Holydays. I'm a 32 year old man now, agnostic, yet the sound and the chant still fill me with reverence and awe! Live long and prosper, folks.
A superb story told by Leonard Nimoy, deceased recently, a Jewish actor that eternised a Jewish greeting in cinema
I really felt the passing of Leonard Nimoy. The day he passed away was the last time I spoke with my father. Two days later, I got the call that my father had passed away. I can't think of Leonard Nimoy without thinking about my father.
I love his laugh at the end when he says "People don't realize they're blessing each other" when they give each other the sign!
He did have a lovely smile and a wonderful laugh.
“Live long and prosper” is such a touching and respectful greeting to give someone. It’s very much like a blessing, really. I love it.
Rest In Peace, Sir. Thank you for being.
Of all the souls on television and in the movies I have encountered, his was the most... Human.
What a fine thing to give the world. A sign to bless others. Never heard the story before, enjoyed it.
If only the whole world could catch up to this!
It's actually a beautiful blessing. Everytime
my husband does the hand gesture during Erev Shabbat (Friday night service in the homes) while reciting the Aharonic blessing, all my kids would run up to him to be enveloped within his tallit (prayer shawl) so as to grab the blessing coming forth from their dad's mouth. Despite seeing this every Friday night, I'm still deeply moved by the scene.
May his soul be amongst the living . I am so impressed with his Hebrew . His pronunciation is perfect to the sefradic pronunciation. A true legend .
I am so glad his Hebrew pronunciation was good but I would have no way of knowing unless someone like yourself pointed this out. Thank you for your comment. LLAP 🖖
Had no idea Nimoy was (or had been) observant. His praying Hebrew is perfect.
Try to find more interviews of him.- he came from a very Orthodox family. Btw besides being a very acclaimed actor inter alia he was a very accomplished photographer. One book of his collected photographs is entitled Shechinah.
You can watch the full almost two-hour interview we did with him here: www.yiddishbookcenter.org/collections/oral-histories/interviews/woh-fi-0000483/leonard-nimoy-2013
Best voice to listen to Leonard, you and Morgan Freeman have that Godliness that is assuring to the rest of us.
Leonard....May you live long and prosper.
Dislikes are from the damn Romulans
BrendanMaxwellMusic
The Klingons are probably involved, getting paid for the down votes .
I remember when I was back in high school, one of the kids in my class was wearing the facial expressions of Spock shirt (all of them obviously, some might say logically, blank expressions). He had never seen an episode of Star Trek, and I guess he wore the shirt because it was the only thing that was clean. But he was completely dumbfounded every time someone some one gave him the Vulcan Salute.
I wouldn't think the Romulans or Klingons would take issue with Spock as a person (Vulcan/Human). Both races though warlike would have to know he was a person who's character demonstrated honesty, loyalty and respect plus would be willing fight to uphold his values (beware the Vulcan death grip - lol! Yes I know, I know..). Certainly some (of both races) may have wanted to kill him, but at the same time would have respected how he conducted himself. Romulans & Klingons would certainly not go the cowards route & down vote him even if they hated him as an adversary (they would want to fight him face to face..). I had the privilege of meeting him over 40 years ago and was a true honor. I'm not Jewish but no matter. The man transcended religion. Peace & long life to all who read this & Shalom!
70 of them are NOT from my Grandmothers family, who were killed Jewish inspired communism on the old border of Poland and Russia....but some did escape to Canada & America. Leaving the Question;...Why do Jews kill other Jews.
+Matthew Van Buren Fascinating. Honestly fascinating.
When Leonard Nimoy was a child he admired the actor Danny Kaye. Danny Kaye came to Boston to promote a movie, where Leonard Nimoy lived as child. Nimoy went to go see him. After the film Nimoy went outside and saw Danny Kaye and ran to him to get his autograph. One of Danny Kaye's body guards brushed Nimoy off and said, "Get out of here kid." Nimoy was standing there disapointed and said, "When I become a big time star, I'm going to give everybody and anybody my autograph to whoever asks for it." He actually did it. I was in a store when he came to promote his record album. I was a child and there was a long line of kids waiting for his autograph and one by one he signed for anybody.
He said, "later in my live it became virtually impossible to do that."
After the third episode of Startrek, he got the most mail than any of the other cast members. He actually tried to answer it all but again, due to the amount he was getting it became impossible.
Danny Kaye was a Kaminsky, another Russian Jew.
When someone passes, we Jews say 'may their memory be a blessing'. The memory of Leonard Nimoy memory is absolutely a blessing. One that I intend to pass on to as many as I can.
Leonard Nimoy was and is, to this day the only person who can single handedly start a fan base and even get an emoji🖖🖖
Edit: I appear to have made a pun
Live long and prosper in heaven, Mr Nimoy! You always have and shall be my friend.
" The simplest would be to say, _'Languh yoren osta lebn.'_ It's a typical Yiddish expression.
Parents say it to their kids. It means, _'You should live many years.'_ "
-Leonard Nimoy, on the origin of the Vulcan phrase _"Live Long and Prosper."_
He did.
ツ
RIP
I really love this story. basically the only reason we have the Vulcan salute is because a young Leonard Nimoy did a faux pas in Temple and looked at something he wasn't supposed to, and because he did that, he took it to heart and remembered it all those years later.
I never knew my biological father. So, as a kid I needed a father figure. When I started watching Star Trek, Spock stood out as someone that I would have liked my dad to have been like. I think it's because of that that I could identify with him the most out of the rest of the crew.
What a great person. Thanks Leonard for your benediction. You'll always be with us. R.I.P.
Dude. You forgot to add "LLAP." At the end. Then you're really blessing him.
Leonard Nimoy truly blessed us with his intelligence, talent and personality. Our lives have been enriched by this man's contributions and cinematic presence.
I am proud to say l was born and brought up in the old west end of Boston only a couple of streets away from Leonard. My oldest sister knew Leonard. It was a wonderful place to grow up with all races and creeds and the neighborhood was destroyed for political greed.
What a remarkable man...
Mr Nimoy; I have long admired Spock-- all my adult life, I guess; now you have revealed yourself to me also to be an elegant, thoughtful mensch. Thank you.
Hi Spock!Thank you for making my happy childhood.
I've heard this story before, but it was great getting to hear it straight from Leonard Nimoy like this. Thanks for posting it!
I really liked spock one of the reasons I've studied logic. A great man that gave many joy! Live long and prosper in the next life Leonard.
That’s quite beautiful. Not just a greeting of kind pop culture from science fiction but also blessing one another. LLAP, RIP Leonard Nimoy.
I love this man. He brought so much to humanity!!! Live Long and Prosper Leonard V!
When Leonard Nimoy is explaining why one does not look during the benediction, it reminded me of the incident in Scripture (Exodus 33:12-23) where Moses asked to see the face of God. Picking up at verse 20: But He (God) said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me and live. 21. And the LORD said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand while I pass by. 23. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen."
that's basically the correct association. the kohnaim (priests) who perform the ritual are acting as agents of the L-rd. one should refrain from looking. some people even turn their back to the holy ark to avoid getting curious but it is not condoned.
...and this is where the Tree of Life comes from
Also the guy who tried to steady the Ark of the Covenet when the oxen stumbled and was slain. Uzzah, in 2 Samuel 6:7
1. Nimoy told this story more than a few times but this is my favorite version by far. I love his conspiratorial delight at getting people to bless each orher.
2. This may be a stretch but I''m wondering if the female spirit that destroys the Nazis in Raiders Of The Lost Ark was a nod to the Shekhinah
You will recollect in that scene, there's a chap mumbling scraps of Hebrew, dressed like the High Priest. Given it's Spielberg who made the movie, I believe your speculation is correct.
I'm sure it was. That was my instant interpretation as I watched the movie in the theater, in Hollywood, when it first came out. I'm not Jewish, but I know the Bible and I know the history of the Ark. The Ark embodied tremendous power and allowed no one to even touch it, much less open it. As the movie proceeded, the instant I saw the first hint of something supernatural happening, I gasped. I knew it was going to get really ugly, and it did.
Given the legends surrounding the Ark, what happened in the movie seemed completely plausible to me. I think Spielberg did very good job.
A wonderful soul, RIP among the cosmos.
O7 spock
MaximumRD I agree with you..had no idea that he was jewish..a positive surprise..
May his neshama receive an Aliyah.
+am1966ath There ya go, another comment well put! I too am pleasantly surprised.
RIP.. Requiescat in Pace.
Latin for rest in peace and used in the Catholic rite of prayers for the dead.
Nice one.
It's 2019 and i am watching all the episodes of tv series, still love it.
Leonard Nimoy is survived by his children, grand children and great-grand children. Truly, he lived long and prospered. Rest In Peace.
It says that all who bless (other people) will in turn be blessed.
Thank you Leonard Nimoy for you sharing your talent with us. May you rest in peace.
Awesome 🖖. Now I know why Spock was always my favorite character in Star Trek. 🖖 I am always using that gesture towards people I greet.
The Spock character that Leonard Nimoy brought to life has become an immortal part of the world's culture -- our cultural legends that are necessary for communication -- a part of our language. I don't think it's going away any time soon, if ever. Brilliant work he did.
Live long and prosper is timeless.
Every generation has its set of role models. Even if it was just an act, Leonard Nimoy had an influence on young impressionable minds in the past decades. If nothing else, Star Trek made you think about certain issues whether you agreed with them or not. R.I.P. Mr Nimoy. You will be missed.
Yevarechecha: Numbers 6:24-26
"The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." a.k.a. the Aaronic or Priestly Benediction
Interesting. I'm Lutheran, and we use exactly the same benediction. It makes me wonder if any of the Judeo-Christian denominations use something different.
How we miss you Mr. Nimoy. Your a legend, as an actor and as a person.
I've been a Star Trek fan since 1986-ish. And this is the first time I learned about the origins of the Vulcan salute. I think it's lovely!
I had never heard that before. That's actually quite moving.
It has been 5 years since his death I still
Missed the Star Trek Disney kingdom hearts and transformers legend Leonard nimoy I wish he was still alive today
This is great! So glad there was something so meaningful behind my favorite greeting. You all, live long and prosper! ❤️
Leonard Nimoy, empowering us to bless each other.
I grew up with Star Trek. Of all the Star Trek characters, I loved Spock the most. They could not have cast a better person throughout the decades to play Spock. I was glad he stuck with it and played roles in the movies as well.
As a person, Leonard Nimoy was a good man. It's been told he was pleasant to be around, he was respectful to all, and he was kind even to strangers who approached him on the streets. I am not a star-struck person, but I felt a genuine loss when he passed away.
I wonder if he remained kind and composed with Palestinians, Syrians, Iraqis, Egyptians and Lebanese, or would a demon have emerged from under the surface?
Every time I get to see Nimoy speak, I love him a little more
I love watching Mr. Nimoy tell the story of how the ta’al (the Vulcan salute) came to be! It’s a beautiful story! As a Jewish person, it just brings me so much joy and a deeper connection to my heritage! Thank you, Mr. Nimoy! LLAP🖖🏻
I love that it lends a compassionate aspect to being Vulcan. Thank you, Mr. Nimoy.
We Jews knew this...a blessed life RIP Leonard.
My heart is broken !!! RIP my friend
a great story, one I never knew. thank you for making a timeless and globally recognized gesture of a Jewish Blessing. RIP Mr Nimoy
Baruch Dayan ha emet. May his memory be for a blessing.
I love you, Leonard Nimoy. Rest in peace. I will always remember you as the charismatic Mr Spock. What a legend!
RIP.. Leonard nimoy.. you quite literally have gone where no man has gone before.. you are now truly one with the Galaxy..
R. I. P. Mr Nimoy 🖖 May your family live long and prosper
Leonard Nimoy is one class act...RIP.
This is one of my favorite stories involving Star Trek. He will indeed be missed terribly. May the Shekinah take him Home.
I am profoundly honored to have been alive at the time Leonard Nimoy walked the Earth.
I feel the exact same way, even thought that means that I am old now.
Oy I'm kvelling .I have never heard the longer version of the explanation until now . This was great as was Mr. Nimoy . ....A wonderful, multi-faceted man. RIP.
He was a master storyteller. Amazing legacy.
R.I.P Mr. Nimoy. Thank you for inspiring us to boldly go.
Thanks, Mr Nimoy.
I have used this hand sign regularly.
Peace to you and your family also.
God bless Leonard nimoy such a good actor and he had other talents too, the world was a much better place because of him and his abilities.
"Live long and prosper"
That is a nice blessing 🖖🏻
Fantastic story!! I loved this! And to know the gesture has a powerful history behind it makes it more amazing!
Very interesting. I grew up with Star Trek. I am almost 40 (2020) and I just discovered this. Amazing!
What a special and remarkable man. I got some of my biggest treats when I saw him in other roles or interviews SMILING and laughing... having grown up watching him playing the emotionless Vulcan Spock, it was a treat.
Years ago I was privy to the genesis of the sign but hearing Leonard Nimoy saying it in person is ... special. 🖖🖖🖖
Thank you, Tammy. That was terrific. I miss him already.
Thank you for posting this story by Leonard Nimoy a hero of Humanity of the Planet Earth which will most certainly be a story still told a thousand years from now when man has reached other star systems and their planets and found life there!
i have heard it said that star trek will be our future mythology. the greeks, romans, etc had characters with such profound characteristics and they stuck in the minds of the people of those days and civilizations and passed them on to us. and we will pass these characters and their adventures, and personalities on to those who are to come.
This is amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing ❤️ 💕
He definitely blessed us all with such. Thank You Brother!
We were surely blessed by you ....thank you
I always wondered if that was connected to the prayer which the Kohanim(the people who are in the highest tribe, the tribe of priests) go up on the bema, etc. Now I know that is exactly where it comes from. What a nice story and that trekkies are blessing each other when doing the "Vulcan hand sign"!
You mean the tribe of Levi .. it is our birthright to preach and pray...
Dr.h.c.Claudia Maria Anna Kramer
No. It the Cohen (one of them) in the congregation who does the blessing.
Yes, the Aharonic blessing from the Book of Numbers
I love the music and wish I could get more music like this. Thank you for sharing this wonderful video.
I never knew about this and it plays such a vital part in Star Trek of Kirk Spock and Mccoy! Thank you for sharing this!
What a great guy he was. He is missed.
Fascinating interview. Thank you!
Leonard...un mito...passerà nella storia
Thank you for sharing this story.
Nimoy was a good actor and great human being. I miss him. Thank goodness for re-runs and TH-cam.
Beautifully expressed in words for everyone to understand this blessing of kohanim and use in star trek
No matter how many times I see this story it fascinate me, this salute is traveling at the speed of light trough the Cosmos
When I was in college LN came to the University and gave a talk. He recited some of his poetry mostly and did not want to talk much about his role as Spock on Star Trek. Thank you Mr. Nimoy for your universal views!😘
Between Star Trek and In Search Of, this unmistakable voice still echoes from my childhood...
The Legend. I admired him both before and after Star Trek.
Awesome story from a talented guy,..Thanks Leonard.