Question
I saw someone kiss the hand of a person who looked like a Rabbi. I realize that this is considered a sign of respect but I wonder if this practice has a source in Jewish teachings. Thank you very much, Rabbi.

Question
You are not to make gashes on your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves; I am God." (Vayikra 19:28). According to this portion of the Torah, are Jews not allowed to make tattoos on their skin?

Question
I was recently elected to the City Council of Crawfordsville, Indiana, where I live. There will be a swearing-in ceremony in a couple weeks. I will be sworn in using a copy of "the Bible" but wasn't sure if I should use a Chumash or the entire Tanach. Do you happen to know what Senator Joe Lieberman used? Thank you for your help!   Ethan J. Hollander Associate Professor Department of Political Science Wabash College

Question
At this time of the year, retailers sell a lot of printed tops with holiday themed designs, such as trees, reindeer, poinsettias, snowflakes, and patterns of red, green, and other holiday colors. Many of these tops meet the requirements for tzniut in terms of what parts of the body they cover. And they are some of the most comfortable clothes on the market. Would it be permitted to wear these?