[Avodah] Interlocking the Fingers of the Right Hand with the Fingers of the Left Hand

[Prof. Levine]

 From http://www.dailyhalacha.com/display.asp

The Zohar Ha'kadosh, in Vayikra (p. 24), writes that when a harsh 
judgment is issued against a person, Heaven forbid, his fingers will 
unwittingly begin moving, and the fingers of his two hands will 
become interlocked. As interlocking hands is a sign of harsh 
judgment, it is improper for a person to intentionally hold his hands 
in this position. The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 
1833-1909), in Parashat Pinhas (18), cites this Halacha in the name 
of the Arizal (Rav Yishak Luria of Safed, 1534-1572). This is 
mentioned in other sources, as well, including the Sefer Ha'hasidim 
(by Rabbenu Yehuda Ha'hasid, Germany, d. 1217) and the Kaf Ha'haim 
(Rav Yaakob Haim Sofer, Baghdad-Israel, 1870-1939). Thus, while it is 
permissible to place one hand on top of the other, one should not 
interlock the fingers of the two hands.

The Ben Ish Hai goes even further, writing that one should never 
place his hands behind his back, and should rather keep them in front 
of him at all times. Indeed, there are different kinds of spiritual 
powers associated with the positioning of one's hands and fingers, as 
Rabbenu Bahya discusses at length.

The Sefer Hazechira mentions that those who are accustomed to 
interlocking their fingers run the risk of experiencing extreme 
anxiety, Heaven forbid.

There are many warnings of this kind that we hear as children, and 
many people are unable to distinguish between those that stem from 
folklore and superstition, and those which have a clear basis in 
Jewish tradition. When it comes to interlocking fingers, this is a 
well-documented warning that originates already from the Zohar and 
the teachings of the Arizal.

Summary: According to Kabbalistic tradition, one should not merge his 
hands together such that the fingers of the two hands interlock. 
According to some sources, one should also refrain from placing his 
hands behind his back.

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Given that I know almost nothing about kabbala, I really do not know 
what to make of the above.  Anyone care to enlighten me?

For the record, in "ancient" times when I was in kindergarten through 
at least second grade (IIRC)  we were required to sit with our hands 
folded in front of us on our desks. YL
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