Mayim Emtzaim-Washing the hands between eating fish and meat/chicken:[1]

*This Halacha does not delve into the obligation of rinsing the mouth between eating fish and meat, which will be discussed in a further Halacha.

A. Background of prohibition to eat fish with meat:[2]

One must beware from eating meat and fish together due to that it can cause leprosy.[3] [This applies even in today’s times.[4]] [It is forbidden to eat the fish and meat together, whether they have been cooked together[5], or roasted together[6], or even eaten together cold, not cooked.[7]]

The status of poultry:[8] There is no difference between meat and poultry in the above regard, and hence it is forbidden to eat even chicken together with fish. [The same applies to chicken fat.[9]]

 

B. Sephardim-The stringent opinion:

Some Poskim[10] rule that one must wash his hands between eating meat and fish[11] [or fish and meat[12]]. [Practically, so is the ruling and custom of the Sephardim.[13] One is to wipe his hand from the fat of the meat prior to washing his hands as otherwise the water will spread the fat even more onto the hand rather than remove it. If one only got a few fingers dirty, then cleaning these fingers alone suffices. It is not necessary to clean the hands with water if one is able to properly clean his hands with a cloth.[14] If one ate with a fork and knife and did not get his hands or fingers dirty at all, then some Poskim[15] rule that there is no need at all to wash the hands inbetween. All this, however, is only initially required, however Bedieved if one began eating the fish or meat without washing his hands in between, then the meat or fish remains kosher. Nonetheless, if one is able to remove a peels worth from the meat or fish, then one should do so.[16]]

Poultry:[17] Some Poskim[18] rule that the above obligation to wash hands between meat and fish only applies to animal meat, however, one who eats chicken and other poultry is not required to be stringent to wash his hands prior to eating fish or vice versa, and so indeed is the widespread custom. Other Poskim[19], however, rule that one is required to wash his hands even between chicken and fish and so is the custom of Sephardim.

C. Ashkenazim-The lenient opinion:[20]

Other Poskim[21], however, rule that there is no need to suspect for the above, as the above [washing] is only required if one cooked [or roasted[22]], the fish and meat together and then [transgressed and] ate them [as only in such a case is there danger[23]], although not when one is eating them one after the other. Practically, so is the [Ashkenazi] custom to not wash the hands in-between eating fish and meat.[24] [However, some Poskim[25] rule that even Ashkenazim should be stringent in this like Sephardim to wash their hands in between.]

D. The Chabad custom:

The Chabad Rabbeim were accustomed to rinse their hands between eating fish and meat.[26] There is room to learn that this is also the encouraged Chabad custom pertinent to the public, to rinse hands between eating fish and meat.[27] Nonetheless, practically, most of Anash are not particular in this.[28]

Summary: Sephardim must wash hands in-between eating fish and meat, and so is likewise the custom of some Ashkenazim and so was followed by the Chabad Rabbeim.

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[1] See Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 1:17-18; Piskeiy Teshuvos 173:2; Pesakim Uteshuvos 116:9

^[2] 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 Reicha and Davar Acher”; See Divrei Malkiel 2:53

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that it is possible that today there is no longer any danger to eat fish and meat as the natures of people have changed as well as that different lands have different natured people. [M”A O.C. 173:1 “it is possible that today there is no longer much danger involved in the above eating of fish and meat as we see that are a number of matters mentioned in the Talmud which were forbidden due to danger of the “evil spirit” and other matters and today they cause no damage.”; Bach 173; M”B 173:3; Chasam Sofer 101 in opinion of Rambam who omitted this Talmudic prohibition; Maharashdam 4:124 in name of Sefer Hakaneh that the danger only applied until the year 5000 [i.e. 1239]; See Imreiy Yaakov 10:41] Practically, the Poskim negate this opinion, as brought in the next footnotes. See Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] Inyanei Achila 1 footnote 1

Other opinions regarding cooked versus cold: From some Poskim it can be understood that the prohibition only applies if the fish and meat is cooked together and not when eaten together cold. [See Rama 116:3] Practically, we do not rule this way. [Setimas Kol Haposkim]

Other opinions regarding the type of fish: Some Poskim rule that the danger only applies to the fish from the Binisa species, and not to any other fish. [Beir Sheva 35; Chasam Sofer Y.D. 101 in opinion of Rambam] Practically, we do not rule this way. [Setimas Kol Haposkim]

Non-Kosher fish: Some Poskim rule that the danger only applies towards Kosher fish and meat, and not to non-Kosher fish. [Ezras Yisrael 85; Rashash Chulin p. 97a; Tov Taam Vadas Telisaiy 2:10; Otzer Yad Hachaim 217 that this is a dispute between Rashi and Rabbeinu Gershom in Chulin 97a] See Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] Inyanei Achila 1 footnote 1

Live fish: If a live fish falls into a hot pot of meat, and comes back out alive, the meat and fish remain permitted even without 60x, as a live creature does not dissipate taste. [Eretz Tzevi Y.D. 32; P”M O.C. 447 M”Z 46] Other Poskim, however, rule that a live creature does dissipate taste. [Chasam Sofer Y.D. 94, brought in Pischeiy Teshuvah 104:3; Peri Yitzchak 21] See Maharam Shick Y.D. 101; Darkei Teshuvah 104:20; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] Inyanei Achila 1 footnote 5

[3] 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]

[4] Shvus Yaakov 3:70; Chasam Sofer 101 as perhaps the prohibition is a Davar Shebiminyan; Maharam Shick Y.D. 244; Daas Torah Y.D. 116:2; Kaf Hachaim 173:9 in name of Noheig Katzon Yosef that today our nature is even weaker and we need to be even more careful, and hence concludes to be stringent against the M”A ibid; Imreiy Yaakov 10:41

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that in today’s times, there is no longer any worry of danger in eating fish with meat. [See Poskim in previous footnote] Some Poskim conclude that in a time of need, one may join this opinion to other leniencies in this matter. [Shvus Yaakov 3:70; Yad Efraim Y.D. 116:3]

[5] Rama 116:3

[6] Taz 116:3; Kaf Hachaim 116:32; Yad Efraim 116

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that there is no danger in eating fish and meat that were roasted together. [Shach 116:1 in name of Rashal; chut Hashani 67]

[7] Setimas Haposkim ibid; See Sheilas Shalom Tinyana 165, brought in Darkei Teshuvah 116:30, that this applies even according to the Rama 116:3 who writes that washing hands is not needed in between eating fish and meat, and is only required if one cooked the fish and meat together, which can imply that the danger of fish and meat is only when they are cooked together

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that there is no danger involved to eat meat and fish together if they are not cooked together. [Implication of Rama 116:3 who writes that washing hands is not needed in between eating fish and meat, and is only required if one cooked the fish and meat together, which can imply that the danger of fish and meat is only when they are cooked together, and so understands Sheilas Shalom ibid to be the opinion of Rama, as brought in Darkei Teshuvah 116:30] See Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 1 footnote 29

^[8] 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]

[9] 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]

[10] Michaber O.C. 173:2; Y.D. 116:3; Tur 116 in name of Rosh; Tashbatz Katan; Maharam Ben Baruch; Shvus Yaakov 3:70; Shemiras Hanefesh 10; Kaf Hachaim 116:29 and O.C. 173:5

[11] This applies even to salted fish. [Devar Shmuel 367, brought in Lechem Hapanim 116:3]

[12] Issur Viheter 39:29; Mahariy Mintz; Kneses Hagedola 116:19; Shevet Hamussar 41; Daas Torah 116:3; Kitzur SHU”A 33:2; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 1 footnote 30

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that there is no need to wash hands between meat and fish and that it is only required between fish and meat. [Custom recorded in Otzer Yad Hachaim 70, based on wording in Poskim ibid “meat and fish”; Shemira Meialya 4in name of Ilanei Dichayeh]

[13] Peri Toar 116:4; Birkeiy Yosef 116 Shiyurei Bracha 8; Yifei Laleiv 3:5; Ben Ish Chaiy Pinchas 2:8; Kaf Hachaim O.C. 173:4; Y.D. 116:29 and 31

[14] Peri Toar 116:4; Zivcheiy Tzedek 116:19-20; Kaf Hachaim 116:27; Darkei Teshuvah 116:23; See Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 1 footnote 29 who leaves in question if this Kinuach and Hadacha [and washing] between fish and meat follows the same rules and regulations as the Kinuach and Hadacha [and washing] between meat and cheese. However, see Pesakim Uteshuvos 116 footnote 94 who learns that all the same laws apply.

[15] Avnei Yashpei 4:87-4; Piskeiy Teshuvos 173:2; See Pesakim Uteshuvos 89:9

[16] Peri Toar 116:3; Zivcheiy Tzedek 116:21; Kaf Hachaim 116:28

The reason: If the meat is ground or disintegrated then since it is not possible to remove a Kelipa’s worth therefore whatever remnant of fish that he had on his hand is considered nullified. [Poskim ibid]

[17] Kaf Hachaim 116:29

[18] Beis Yehuda Y.D. 1:24; Ikarei Hadat 14:3; Kaf Hachaim 116:29

[19] Birkeiy Yosef 116 Shiyurei Bracha 8 based on Shvus Yaakov 2:104; Ben Ish Chaiy Pinchas 2:8; Mishcha Derabusa p. 72; Kaf Hachaim 116:29 and 31; See Shvus Yaakov 2:104 1 footnote 1

[20][20] Rama 116:3

[21] Rama ibid; Hagahos Mordechai; See M”A 173:1; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 1 footnote 29

[22] Taz 116:3; Kaf Hachaim 116:32

[23] See Sheilas Shalom Tinyana 165, brought in Darkei Teshuvah 116:30; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 1 footnote 29

[24] Rama ibid; Chochmas Adam 68:1; Kitzur SHU”A 33:2; M”B 173:4; Tehilas Chaim 1:261 in name of Chassidic Admurim that they were not particular to wash their hands inbeween; See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 9

[25] Rashal in Yam Shel Shlomo Chulin 8:9; Beis Lechem Yehuda 116:4; Shvus Yaakov 3:70; Darkei Teshuvah 116:32 that so he witnessed from elderly Rabbanim; Shemiras Hanefesh 10; Kaf Hachaim 116:29 and 31; Beis Lechem Yehuda 116:4; Misgeres Hashulchan in Yeshuos Chochmah 33:2; Shulchan Chaiy 1:15; Shulchan Hatahor 173:1 based on Kabballah; Divrei Yoel Vayishlach p. 177 that so was the custom of the Yismach Moshe  and Yitav Leiv of Satmar ; Koveitz Mibeis Levi Inyanei Y.D. p. 90 that so was seen by Rav Shmuel Wozner by his Rabbeim

[26] So was the custom of the Rebbe Rashab. [Toras Menachem 5726 3:4; Heard from Rav Eli Landa Shlita] So was the custom of the Rebbe Rayatz. [Halichos Uminhagim Beinyanei Shabbos Kodesh p. 20] So was likewise the custom of the Rebbe to wash his hands between fish and meat. [Hamelech Bemisibo 1:80; Hiskashrus 76:17; Halichos Uminhagim Beinyanei Shabbos Kodesh p. 20]

[27] See Sefer Haminhagim p. 41 regarding Pesach that “For Mayim Emtzaim and Mayim Achronim, one is not to place the fingers on his lips” which implies that our custom is to do so.

[28] Rav Eli Landa Shlita relates that he has never noticed by Anash that they are particular to wash hands inbetween and rather simply have a drink

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