A number of years ago I had the opportunity to hear a representative of the Jewish Agency address a meeting at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. 

He shared the dramatic story of his immigration from the Soviet Union to the United States. After leaving Russia, he received a scholarship to Yeshiva University in New York City. 

This young man was extremely dedicated and had a fierce work ethic. He worked long hours to learn English and succeed in his studies. One evening, the mentor who had been assigned to him, suggested it was time for a little break. He was concerned this Russian student would “burn out” under the pressure of the study regimen he had imposed upon himself. He therefore suggested the young man repair to the student lounge to watch some television. 

“It’s a good way to learn English so you won’t be wasting your time!”

The student acquiesced and went to watch TV. The mentor was surprised when a few minutes later the student emerged, wild eyed from the lounge. He was trembling as he told his mentor that inexplicably he had just found a relative of his on the TV show he was watching. 

The mentor asked for an explanation. 

It seems this student had a very close relationship with his grandfather. They spent many hours together through his childhood. Then came the when the grandfather felt his days were numbered on this earth. He called his grandson to his side and told him  about a special family symbol.  He raised his hands and joined the fingers together in an unusual formation. The thumb separated, the second and third fingers touching and the fourth and fifth fingers touching. 

“This is the symbol of our family, never forget this sign”. This was one of the last things this boy heard from his beloved grandfather. He never forgot. 

The student was shaking as he shared this story with his mentor, because while he was watching a show on television he was shocked to see a character making the same sign with his hands. His unique family sign. 

The young man concluded his story to us by saying he was probably the first person to find out he was Jewish from seeing Leonard Nimoy in his character Mr. Spock, perform the Vulcan salute in an episode of Star Trek. 

The Vulcan salute is actually an imitation of the hand formation used by the Cohanim, the Priests,  when they bless the Jewish people. 

This week’s Torah portion is called Naso and it contains within it the verses of the priestly blessing. 

May Gd bless you and protect you;

May Gd’s countenance shine upon you and be gracious towards you;

May Gd turn towards you and give you peace. 

This blessing is among the oldest of our prayers. 

We say it in our early morning prayers and in the prayer we say before we retire for the night. 

We intone the blessings on Shabbat, holidays, and in Israel, daily. It is a blessing that has accompanied us through our exile and is at the same time, a part and parcel of our present lives. This prayer is as much a part of us now just as it was thousands of years ago!

It is also the blessing we bestow upon our children every Friday night at the Shabbat table. 

What do we have in our hearts and minds when we utter the blessing over their bowed heads?

We want our children to feel safe, secure, loved and courageous. 

We pray they will move through life with compassion, empathy, resilience and determination. 

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks teaches us that most importantly, we envision a world where our children can live in peace. Rabbi Sacks says that in order to make peace in the world, we first need to be at peace with ourselves. 

How can we achieve inner peace? 

By knowing we are appreciated unconditionally. 

When we know that about ourselves, we are then able to see the worth in others. 

The last line of the blessing highlights this concept.

When Gd turns towards us, so to speak, we are metaphorically “seeing” our reflection in Gd’s eyes, seeing ourselves as Gd sees us-unconditionally. 

Each and every one of us is worthy of love and respect. That is how Gd sees us. 

That is how we must view ourselves.

Once we have that clarity, we will model that understanding for our children who will then begin to recognize it in themselves. 

The hand formation that Spock popularized is the hand motion the Priests use when they extend their hands to bless the Jewish people with the ancient priestly blessing. The fingers look like the Hebrew letter Shin and one of the reasons for that is the word for Shechinah, Gd’s presence, begins with the letter Shin, as does the Hebrew word for peace, Shalom, which is also another name for Gd. 

When the Priests are extending their hands they are serving as a conduit of Shalom from the Shechina. 

As we extend this blessing, as priests, or as parents we pray for peace in ourselves, in our relationships and throughout the world. 

Our student truly recognized the symbol of his family, the enduring and ancient sign of a people engaged in making this world a better place. 

A world of peace. 

Beam me up Scottie.

Shabbat Shalom and so much love.