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I've seen people kiss an aron kodesh (cabinet holding Torah scrolls) when they approach it and, if they were standing near it, before they leave it. Does this have any written source; or, are there known instances of authoritative individuals' having done (or advised) thus?

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Inspired by the comments on judaism.stackexchange.com/a/9469. – msh210♦ Dec 6 '11 at 5:06

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In Shivat Tzion it says to kiss the WALLS of the Shul because of their holiness, and I say Kal WaHomer the Aron.

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Re Kav Hayashar: I see stuff there about k'dushas bes hak'neses, but not specifically about kissing its walls. Am I missing something? – msh210♦ Dec 9 '11 at 8:01
It's quoted in the book of Rav Mutzafi, Shivat Tzion. – Hacham Gabriel Dec 9 '11 at 13:33
I also looked for it and couldn't find it. Well I change the quote to Rav Mutzadi – Hacham Gabriel Dec 9 '11 at 13:59
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There are sources for kissing a mezuza, such as:

[לפיכך, כשיצא אדם מפתח ביתו, ינשק המזוזה: [חיי אדם, חלק א' כלל ט"ו

And possibly the custom of kissing a sefer Torah stems from this.

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3  
The question asks about the aron, not the sefer torah. – Monica Cellio♦ Dec 6 '11 at 14:55
@Monica presumably the custom of kissing the Aron is a further extension. – Seth J Jul 25 '12 at 2:57

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