From the Rav’s Desk – Q&A on Meat and fish & More

Why do we avoid eating fish and meat together?^[1]

One must beware from eating meat and fish together due to that it can cause leprosy.^[2]

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^[1] Michaber Y.D. 116:2; O.C. 173:2 “As it is difficult for Davar Acher, and Danger is more severe than a prohibition”; Admur Shemiras Guf Vinefesh Halacha 9; Pesachim 76b “Due to it causing Reiach and Davar Acher”; See Divrei Malkiel 2:53

[2] Is this danger natural or mystical: Some Poskim rule that this danger is natural and not mystical. [Chasam Sofer Y.D. 101; Divrei Malkiel 2:53] However, other Poskim rule that is mystical and not natural. [Tiferes Tzevi 91]

May one eat fish together with poultry?^[1]

There is no difference between meat and poultry, and hence it is forbidden to eat even chicken together with fish. The same applies to chicken fat.^[2]

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^[1] Shvus Yaakov 2:104; Birkeiy Yosef Y.D. 116 Shiyurei Bracha 8 that so is the custom; Pischeiy Teshuvah 116:2; Aruch Hashulchan 116:10; Shemiras Hanefesh 8; Kitzur SHU”A 33:1; Kaf Hachaim Y.D. 116:11; Imreiy Yaakov 10:41

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that one is not to protest against those who are lenient to permit eating chicken with fish. [Beis Yehuda Y.D. 24; Chelkas Yaakov 1:109]

[2] P”M O.C. 173 M”Z; Atzei Olah Chukei Chaim 2; Pischeiy Teshuvah 116:2

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that one is may be lenient to eat geese fat with fish. [Otzer Yad Hachaim 1035; Pardes 247; Sefer Haorah of Rashi p. 136, 110]

Pareve foods which touched fish or meat:^[1]

Pareve foods which became dirtied with remnants of fish or meat may not be eaten with the opposite food. Thus, if one placed a piece of fish on a slice of bread, the slice of bread may no longer be eaten with meat.

[1] Zivcheiy Tzedek 116:11; Kaf Hachaim 116:26

The Rebbe very much encouraged it and advocated for its implimentation both in public talks and in private correspondence with individuals!

Background:

As a result of the Supreme Court of the United States ruling in 1962, and later on in 1963 banning school prayers^[1] the Rebbe advocated to permit a non-denominational moment of prayer in the public educational institutions of the United States for the sake of the students being educated with daily emphasis on G-d and the morals that they must uphold.^[2] This was further brought up in the 1980’s in which the Rebbe advocated for all schools to observe a moment of silence in the start of their day in order to instill fear of G-d in the hearts of the youths of the country for the sake of having a more civilized society and diminish the erosion of the morals of the country.^[3]

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[1] See Engel v. Vitale – Wikipedia; Abington School District v. Schempp – Wikipedia

[2] See Toras Menachem Vol. 34 pp. 148-156; English letter found in: Non-Denominational Prayer in Public Schools – Chabad.org

[3] See Sichos 5781 11^th Nissan; Toras Menachem 5743 Sichos of: 10^th Shevat, 11^th Nissan, Achron Shel Pesach; 12^th Tamuz; 5744 Sichos of 6^th Tishreiy; 19^th Kisleiv; 11^th Nissan; 5745: 6^th Tishreiy

Iinitially one is to be very careful to recite Kiddush Levana prior to the end time written on the Luchos, which follows the opinion of the Rama. This applies to both Ashkenazim and Sephardim. However, in the event that one already missed the time of the first/earliest opinion, then many Ashkenazim rely on a second opinion to recite it until 15 full days past the Molad [i.e. Zman Michaber]. Likewise, some Sephardim rely on this opinion, although many recite it without Hashem’s name once it is past the Zeman Rama. Amongst Chabad Chassidim, many rely on the third opinion to recite it up until 15 days, 12 hrs and 22 minutes from the Molad [i.e. Zeman Chasam Sofer]. This gives you approximately another 18 hours past the time written on the Luchos.

https://shulchanaruchharav.com/halacha/sof-zman-kiddush-levana-until-what-day-of-the-month-may-kiddush-levana-be-recited/ 

May one place two potted vegetable plants next to each other in Israel?[1]

In the land of Israel where the laws of Kilayim apply it is forbidden to place plants which produce edible produce too close to each other.[2] They are to have a minimum distance of 1.5 Tefachim [i.e. 15 cm] for vegetables, and an even greater distance of 10.2 Amos [6.12 meters] is required for grains. Now, with regards to potted plants, the matter is disputed amongst the Poskim, with some Poskim[3] holding that there is no distance at all required being that they are separated by the pot material that holds them. Other Poskim[4] however hold that a minimum distance of 1.5 Tefachim is required even between potted vegetable plants and one is required to distance the pots the same distance that is required when they are planted in the ground. Practically, one is to be stringent. [The exact amount of distance is dependent on what one is growing in the two pots, as well as their size. If the parts are both larger than six Tefachim and are a height of one Tefach, then a mere Tefach distance between them is required. If however it is taller than 1 Tefach, then one must distance the two plants no less than the measurement of the height of the pot. Thus, if the pot is 20 cm tall then the distance must be 20 cm between the two pots. If the pots do not have a Tefach of height and they are viewed as single plants and must be distanced in accordance to their species which is 1.5 Tefachim for vegetables, and 10.2 Amos for grains.[5]]

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[1] See Encyclopedia Talmudit Vol. 29 Erech Kilei Zeraim p. 540 footnotes 605-614; Mayim Chaim p. 54

[2] Michaber Y.D. 296:1-2

[3] Madanei Aretz KIlayim p. 41; Har Tzevi 24:3; Shevet Halevi 6:166; 9:243; 288

[4] Chazon Ish Kilayim 13:16; Derech Emuna 4:16 92

[5] See Mayim Chaim ibid