<p>At the 14:30 mark Rabbi Rakefet stated that one is permitted to hug an aunt. That is very surprising. He quotes the Rambam as permitting it. That is patently false. The Rambam [אישות כ""א ו] says that to hug a BLOOD RELATIVE whom one is not attracted to [besides a parent or grandparent] is both stupid and forbidden and the Shulchan Aruch follows this ruling. [If she is NOT a blood related aunt then it is much worse - maybe מדאורייתא].&nbsp; The Chofetz Chaim in Nidchei Yisrael [Chapter 84] said that it is strictly forbidden. See also the Igros Moshe [ח"ב יו"ד סי' קל"ז ואבע"ה ח"ד סי' ס"ג] who says according to the Rambam the prohibition is מדרבנן.&nbsp;</p> <p>However, see a leneint ruling of Rav Shlomo Amar [שמע שלמה ח"ב סי' י"ב] and also משנה הלכות ח"ט סי' ע"ד.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>His comparison to shaking hands [which is actually יהרג ואל יעבור according to the Steipler and others] is also faulty as anyone can understand.&nbsp;</p> <p>If one wants to follow the ruling of the majority of poskim he can politely tell his aunt how much he loves her but he can't kiss and hug her.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>