1) It is prohibited to kiss young children [or older children, or anyone for that matter] in a Bais HaKnesses (Shul) , as it isn’t proper to show love and affection in a Shul for anyone other than Hashem.
I heard in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal that this Halacha applies only during davening, and not at any other times in a Shul. (After all, this Halacha is indeed brought in Hilchos "Tefilah" (Siman 91) and not in "Hilchos Bais HaKneses". If anyone can show me a source for this, i would greatly appreciate it.)
According to some Poskim,the hand of a Rav, Rebbe or Talmid Chacham may be kissed in Bais Haknesses, as it is done out of respect for the Torah and not out of love.
2) The Shl"a HaKadosh was very against bringing children to Shul, unless they are of age of Chinuch and can behave properly and not disturb the Tefilah or disrespect the decorum of the Shul.
However, if the children can indeed behave properly in Shul, it is in fact a Mitzvah to bring them to train them in proper davening and in respecting the holiness of a Makom Tefilah.
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NOTE: Being that this coming Shabbos iy"H is Shabbos Parshas Bereishis, a new cycle of Shnayim Mikrah V’Echad targum began on Simchas Torah. I am adding below (from the archives of Hilchos Shabbos), the 3 days worth of Halachos (from July 2008) that discussed the importance of being Maavir Sedra, as well as their pertinent- and timely- Halachos.
HILCHOS SHABBOS: BEING MAAVIR SEDRAH
Halachos for Tuesday, July 1 2008
1) It is incumbent on every Jewish male to read the portion of the week’s Torah reading each week. This is known as "Being Maavir Sidrah" (literally, "going over the portion of the week"). The entire Parsha must be read twice and the Targum [Onkelos] must be read once. The new week begins on Sunday morning, i.e. This past Sunday morning began the obligation of reading Parshas Chukas, and it must be finished before Krias Hatorah this coming Shabbos Parshas Chukas. (The Mishna Berurah holds that one can begin already reading the new Parsha after Krias Hatorah of Mincha on Shabbos, and there is no need to wait until Sunday)
2) Some Poskim hold that the best way to be Mekayem this Mitzvah is to read the entire Parsha twice, and the Targum once on Friday afternoon after Chatzos(midday). Others disagree and hold that it is 100% Okay to start on Sunday morning and do a little each day throughout the week.
Halachos for Wednesday, July 2 2008
1)There are a few methods mentioned by Halachic authorities as to the proper way to be Maavir Sedra:
a) To read the entire Sedra (e..g. Parshas Chukas) of that week, from beginning to end twice and only then to read the entire Targum [Onkelus] from the beginning of the Sedra until the end.
b) To read a full Parsha, or section ( meaning from the beginning until you get to a "Pei" or "Samech", and according to the Vilna Gaon if you do it in this way, you stop there, even if it is middle of a Possuk) within the Sedra of the week twice and then to read the Targum on the Pesukim you just read.
c) To read from The beginning until Sheni twice then its Targum, continue from Sheni until Shlishi twice, and then its Targum and so on
d) To read the first Posuk twice and then its Targum, then the second Posuk twice and then its Targum, and so on until you finish the entire Sedra.
2) All of the above methods have acceptable sources in Halacha. There is a prevalent minhag (which the Vilna Gaon and others used to do) to read from the beginning until Sheni on Sunday, from Sheni to Shlishi on Monday, and so on until Friday. On Friday the Minhag is to do two portions (i.e. from Shishi until the end). This minhag is an easy way to be Maavir Sedra without it being a daunting task to do in one sitting.
Halachos for Thursday, July 3 2008
1)Besides for Chumash and Targum, one who fears Hashem should learn the commentary of Rashi on the entire Parsha. If one is not capable of doing this, he should try and read the English (or any other language he is familiar with) translation of the Parsha, so that he will understand what the week’s Parsha is about.
2)Since reading the words of the Targum takes some getting used to, it is worthwhile to have children (from about the age of 7) read a few Pesukim of Chumash and Targum each week, so that when they reach Bar Mitzva they will have an easy time being Maavir Sedrah. Training them in this Mitzva, like all other Mitzvos, is part of every father’s (and mother’s) obligation of Chinuch.
Reader’s Question:
If someone did not have kavana during the first bracha of Shemona Esrei he should only scan [the words, as you wrote in your Halachos a few days ago] or is he allowed to say over the first bracha starting by Elokei Avrohom ?
My Answer:
If you realized that you didn’t have Kavannah before you said Hashem’s name in the Chasimah of the Bracha, you can repeat the Bracha again from "Elokei Avraham".
Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach maintains that if you only didn’t have kavannah for only part of the Bracha, you should repeat only the parts that you didnt have Kavannah for, and not from the beginning of the Bracha. He also says that one may repeat any part of Shemona Esrei that was said without Kavannah, even though Brachos with Hashem’s name will be repeated.
If the Bracha of Avos was finished, it is best to scan it, and not repeat it, unless you are someone that usually has Kavannah, and in that case you should start again from the beginning.
Another thing that can be done, is to wait until Chazaras haShatz, and have in mind to be Yotzei with the Chazzan’s Birchas Avos, and then continue "Ata Gibor" on your own. However, the Poskim are hesitant to allow this particular method (for a host of reasons).
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
