Must one wait six hours between eating meat and milk?

It is a Rabbinical obligation to separate one’s meat and dairy meals from each other.[1] It is disputed amongst Poskim as to how the two meals are to be separated. Some Poskim[2] rule one is Rabbinically required to wait six hours between eating meat and then dairy [and so is the ruling of Sefaradi Jewry]. Other Poskim[3] however rule one is not required to wait any time between eating meat and then dairy, and rather is to simply clean and wash his mouth and hands, and recite Birchas Hamazon, and he may then eat dairy.[4] Based on this, the Ashkenazi custom [in previous times[5]] was to wait [only] one hour between meat and dairy.[6] Nevertheless, the meticulous [even amongst Ashkenazi Jewry] were particular to wait six hours between eating meat and dairy and so is the proper custom.[7] Practically, today, every person who has a spirit of Torah is to wait six hours[8] [and so is the widespread custom today amongst all Jewry[9], with exception to Ashkenazim of certain European regions, such as the Deutsch, who only wait three hours]. One who does not wait six hours is to be protested, especially if he is a Ben Torah.[10] One who does not wait six hours is considered a Poretz Geder, in all its severity.[11]

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[1] Rav Chisda in Chulin 105a

[2] Michaber 89/1; Rambam Machalos Assuros 9/28; Ran Chulin 37b that so is opinion of Rif; Rabbienu Chananel; Baal Haitur 2/13Tur O.C. 173 in name of Rosh; Tur Y.D. 89; Rosh Chulin 5 that so is custom; Shut Min Hashamayim 55 that so is opinion of majority of Poskim, and in Heaven there is no dispute in this, as everyone now agrees its forbidden; Taz 89/2 in name of Shaareiy Dura that custom is like Rambam and not like Tosafus; Rashal Kol Habasar 70 wonders why Ashkenazi Jewry became accustomed to be lenient against the Rambam and Rif

Custom of Arizal and father of Mar Ukva: The father of Mar Ukva would not eat dairy until the next day. [Chulin ibid]The Arizal was accustomed to wait until the night [next Halachic day] until he would eat meat/dairy. [Shaar Hamitzvos Parshas Mishpatim; Kaf Hachaim 89/10]

[3] Opinion in Rama ibid; Tosafus Chulin 104b and 105a [however does not mention the need to clean mouth and hands]; Ravaya; Bahag Brachos 6/9; Rosh Chulin 5 in name of Rabbeinu Tam

[4] The reason: The basis of this dispute is in the words of the Talmud which requires one to wait from meal to meal between eating meat and milk. The first opinion rules “from meal to meal” refers to from the morning meal to the evening meal, which is 6 hours. The second opinion rules it simply refers to two different meals separated by an after blessing. [Shach 89/5]

[5] So was the custom in Holland. In many other European countries, the custom was to wait three hours between meat and milk.

[6] Rama ibid

The reason: This hour wait is not required from the letter of the law according to any Posek, as it does not suffice for the first opinion who requires a six hour wait and is not required by the second opinion. Nonetheless, it became widespread as a form of compromise between the two opinions. [Taz 89/2 in name of Mahariy]

[7] Rama ibid

[8] Shach 89/8 in name of Rashal; Taz 89/2 in name of Termuos Hadeshen and Shaareiy Dura; Rashal Kol Habasar 70 wonders why Ashkenazi Jewry became accustomed to be lenient against the Rambam and Riof

[9] P”M 89 S.D. 5 and 8; Chochmas Adam 40/13; Aruch Hashulchan 89/7; Kaf Hachaim 89/20; See Shut Min Hashamayim 55 in Heaven there is no dispute in this, as everyone now agrees one must wait six hours

[10] Taz ibid in name of Shaarei Dura

[11] Aruch Hashulchan ibid