Female Images of God: El-Shaddai

Star Trek (The Original Series) was a science fiction television program which was ambivalent, if not overtly hostile, towards religion.  It reflected the attitudes of its creator, Gene Roddenberry, who as an adult rejected his Southern Baptist roots.

Actor Leonard Nimoy, who is Jewish, introduced some aspects of religion to the program.  These included the Vulcan Salute and the Vulcan Salutations, "Live long and prosper" and its response "Peace and long life." 

The salutations reflect the Hebrew greeting, "Shalom aleichem" ("Peace be upon you") and its response  "Aleichem shalom" ("upon you be peace").

The Vulcan Salute reflects the hand positions used in the Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing).  The positioning of the fingers reflects the Hebrew letter sim/shim, the first letter of the word "shaddai."

ש

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” Genesis 17:1 "I am El-Shaddai."

El-Shaddai is often translated as "Almighty God" because the translators of the Septuagint believed that it came from the word "shadad," which means "to overpower."  Some now say that it actually comes from "shad," meaning "breast," carrying the idea of sufficiency and nurturing.  So, instead of "God Almighty," this name would mean "All-Sufficient/Nurturing God."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spock_vulcan-salute.png  (Use rationale for this image)

Links;
The Vulcan Salute

http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Vulcan_salute

The Jewish Origin of the Vulcan Salute

http://upstel.net/~rooster/v-salute.html

Amy Grant El-Shaddai

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydd4XTIDzF0

Hebrew Names of God

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Names_of_G-d/El/el.html

El-Shaddai

http://www.parentcompany.com/awareness_of_god/nog6.htm