Answer: The Rema (OC 98:1) writes that fathers
should not kiss their children in shul, as shul is a place where
one should demonstrate their love to Hashem (Sefer Chassidim 255). R’ Avraham
Yitzchak Kook (Orach Mishpat OC 22) writes that this prohibition applies to
kissing other family members and friends, too.
The Ben Ish Chai
(Vayikra 1:11) writes that while one should not kiss one’s young children in shul,
the sefardi minhag of kissing the hand of a talmid chacham
is commendable because it is done out of respect rather than personal
affection. Likewise, one may kiss one’s father or Rabbi after being called up
for an aliya where that is the accepted practice (See Kaf Hachaim OC
151:6; Ohr Letzion 2:45:55). R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 4:12) explains that
showing them kavod is a form of honouring Hashem, just as one must stand
for them, even in shul. However, one should not kiss any other relatives
who one is not obligated to honour.
The Piskei
Teshuvos (98:7) suggests that as this halacha is written in hilchos tefilla as
opposed to hilchos bais hakenesses, this prohibition may only
apply during davening. He quotes R’ Yisrael Avraham Alter Landau (Beis
Yisrael OC 1:9) who notes that the Torah tells us that Moshe kissed Aharon on
Har Sinai. He could only do so because the shechina was not present
then.
Nonetheless, R’
Ovadia Yosef writes (Yabia Omer EH 3:10) that when making a chuppa in a shul,
one must be careful not to embrace one’s relatives as kissing is always
forbidden in shuls (See Rivevos Ephraim 2:66).
The Piskei Teshuvos (98:n69) writes that one would be
allowed to kiss one’s child if they are crying, however, as this serves to calm
them, rather than show affection.
In conclusion, one should not kiss one’s children in shul
even after davening. One may do so to stop them crying if necessary.
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