Maran the Rema<\/b> (98:1) wrote that it is forbidden to kiss one’s small children in the synagogue, in order to firmly establish the love of Hashem (God)<\/b> in one’s heart and to demonstrate that no love compares to the love of Hashem<\/b>, may He be blessed.<\/p>\n
The author of Shu”t Binyamin Ze’ev<\/i> (Siman 163), a student of the Maharshal<\/b>, added that this prohibition applies to one’s adult children as well, not only small children. This also applies in the women’s section (Ezrat Nashim<\/i>), as the sanctity of the synagogue applies there as well (as explained in Orach Chayim<\/i> Siman 151). Therefore, Maran the Yechaveh Da’at<\/b> (Vol. 4, Siman 12) forbade kissing the hands of those called up to the Torah, or a father kissing his son on the day of his Bar Mitzvah.<\/p>\n
However, if the kiss is a sign of honor, admiration, or basic etiquette (Derech Eretz<\/i>), it is permissible. We find this practiced by the Tanna’im<\/i> (Tannaitic Sages) in various sources, and as Maran the Ben Ish Chai<\/b> (Parshat Vayikra) elaborates, it is the custom to kiss the hand of a Rabbi. We even find this regarding Moshe Rabbeinu, who kissed Aharon at the Mountain of G-d; this was permitted because it was an act of honor and etiquette toward his older brother.<\/p>\n
It should be noted that it is commonly cited in the name of the “Prince of Torah,” Rabbi Moshe Feinstein<\/b>, that this prohibition applies specifically during the time of prayer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-17562","faq","type-faq","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n