Is it better to kiss the sefer torah in shul with one's hand, or to take a tzitzis string from the talis, touch the Torah with the string, and kiss it?
Answer:
Both options are equally acceptable. However, it is preferable to actually kiss the Torah, rather than doing so by means of hand or tzitzis.
Sources: See Pischei Teshuvah, Yoreh De'ah 149:7, in the name of Shelah (one should actually kiss the Torah, and only kiss via the hand when this is not possible); see also Shaarei Chaim (149:3) and Shaarei Rachamim (149:5) who make the same point.
