In the previous Halachot, we have discussed the laws of eating dairy foods after meat. We have explained that one must wait six hours between eating the respective foods. We shall now discuss the laws of eating meat dishes after dairy foods.
The Opinion of the Gemara which Permits Eating Meat after Cheese
The Gemara in Masechet Chullin (105a) states that “If one ate cheese, one may eat meat,” meaning that there is no need to wait at all after eating dairy foods, for the reasons we have mentioned for prohibiting eating dairy after meat do not apply to eating meat after dairy. The Rif, Rambam, Rosh, and other Poskim rule accordingly. Maran rules likewise in his Shulchan Aruch in two places (Orach Chaim, Chapter 173 and Yoreh De’ah, Chapter 89). The words of the Gemara imply that one may eat meat immediately after dairy foods without waiting at all.
The Opinion of the Holy Zohar and the Mekubalim
Nevertheless, Maran Ha’Bet Yosef quotes a more stringent opinion that one should not eat meat after cheese during the same meal, for the holy Zohar (Parashat Mishpatim) has harsh words for one who eats meat at the same time or during the same meal. Several Acharonim write that it is correct to follow this more stringent opinion. The Kaf Ha’Chaim writes that, at the very least, one should recite an after-blessing on the cheese one has eaten or Birkat Hamazon if he has eaten the cheese during a bread meal before proceeding to eat meat. He writes that everyone should follow this stringency. The custom of the saintly Ari z”l was that he would not eat meat and cheese during the same day at all (see Sha’ar Ha’Mitzvot, Parashat Mishpatim).
The Sephardic and Ashkenazi Customs and the Law Regarding “Hard Cheese”
Nonetheless, the prevalent custom among most Sephardic communities in Israel is to rule leniently and permit eating meat after cheese, even during the same meal. Indeed, Hagaon Harav Eliyahu Mani zt”l, head of the rabbinical court in Hebron who lived over two-hundred years ago, attests that this was indeed the prevalent custom.
Some Ashkenazi communities act stringently and do not eat meat after eating “hard cheese,” i.e. cheeses that are aged for six months and are very dry, such as Parmesan cheese which is very dry and sharp. They have thus accepted the stringency of waiting six hours after eating such cheeses before eating meat similar to the law of the waiting period between eating meat and cheese. However, Sephardic Jews customarily rule leniently on this matter according to the letter of the law although there are those who may wait one hour or six hours.
“Middle Waters”
Nevertheless, one may only act leniently if one has inspected his hands and found them to be clean of any cheese or dairy residue. If this occurs during the nighttime hours and there is insufficient lighting, one must wash one’s hands before eating meat. This hand-washing is halachically obligatory and is called “Middle Waters” (see Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah, Chapter 89). Ashkenazim customarily always wash their hands between eating dairy foods and meat (see Torat Chatat, Chapter 76).
Rinsing and “Wiping” One’s Mouth
Besides for washing one’s hands, one must likewise rinse out one’s mouth before eating meat.
This rinsing out of one’s mouth consists of washing one’s mouth with water or any other beverage by drinking this beverage. One must additionally “wipe out” one’s mouth by eating some bread, cake, fruit, and the like in order for one’s mouth to be “wiped” clean. (One should not wipe out one’s mouth by eating vegetables, flour, or dates, see Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah, ibid.)
Summary: According to the letter of the law, one may eat meat dishes immediately after eating dairy foods. However, one should wash one’s hands to ensure they are clean, drink some beverage, and eat some bread in order to clean one’s mouth from any remaining dairy particles.
Some have the custom to act somewhat more stringently regarding these laws as we have explained at length within the Halacha.
