Waiting between meat and milk for those who are ill, on medication, or are weak, pregnant, or nursing

* This article is an excerpt from the above Sefer

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases.

WhatsApp
Facebook
Twitter
Telegram

Waiting between meat and milk for those who are ill, on medication, or are weak, pregnant, or nursing:[1]

Navigating the restrictions of waiting six hours between meat and milk can be challenging  for those who are unwell and require specific nutrients or medications. This article addresses common questions and concerns related to the consumption of milk products and dairy-based medicines within six hours of eating meat. It provides guidance for individuals who are sick, pregnant, or nursing, and need to consume dairy products sooner than typically allowed. Additionally, it clarifies the status of certain products like Kosher bovine gelatin capsules and liver tablets in relation to dietary laws.

  1. Background:

In general, we rule that even an ill person may not eat foods that are not kosher unless certain conditions are met, such as the food is being eaten in an irregular manner by the sick person[2] or it is a case of Pikuach Nefesh. Even foods which are only Rabbinically forbidden to be consumed, are under these restrictions.[3] Accordingly, the question is raised regarding waiting six hours between eating meat and milk and as to whether any leniencies may be are applicable for one who was sick in contrast to the above general law. Regarding Ashkenazim, the entire idea of waiting six hours between meat and milk is based on stringency and custom, as from the letter of the law, we follow the ruling of those authorities[4] who do not require a waiting time in between. Hence, perhaps leniency in waiting can be afforded to those who are ill or have specific conditions. Furthermore, even for Sephardim who follow the opinions[5] who rule that the six hour wait is a requirement, perhaps in such circumstances they can rely on the lenient opinion which rules that from letter of the law waiting six hours is not required.[6]

  1. The law for the ill, weak, pregnant or nursing:[7]

The Poskim rule that the six hour wait between meat and milk is not required to be practiced by people who are sick.[8] This applies even to Sephardim.[9] This applies likewise according to Chabad ruling.[10] Accordingly, one who is [even slightly[11]] ill [or weak[12], or is in pain[13]] and is in need for milk products may be lenient to recite an after blessing[14], wash and clean out his mouth[15], and wait one hour[16] between milk and meat. [The same applies for a nursing or pregnant woman who is in need of milk, or a woman after birth.[17]] In all circumstances, an after blessing for one’s meat meal must be recited as stated above, as this is required from the letter of the law and is not subject to the above debate. Likewise, in all cases that one is able to wait more than one hour, he is praised for waiting more, and hence if he can wait five hours[18], or four hours[19], or two hours[20], then he should do so. On the other hand, if he cannot wait any time at all, then he may consume dairy even within the hour so long as he recites an after blessing and washes and cleans out his mouth beforehand.[21]

  1. The status of medications:

Dairy medicine:[22] Medicines which contain dairy ingredients [such as pro-biotics] may be taken within 6 hours of eating meat by one who is sick and needs to take them within this time. [Thus, one who has heartburn may take a dairy medicine, and even drink a cup of milk, in order to relieve his pain.[23]]

Kosher bovine gelatin capsules:[24] Kosher bovine gelatin capsules are not considered Fleishig and are instead classified as Pareve.

Liver Tablets:[25] Those taking liver tablets are not considered Fleishig and may consume dairy immediately afterward; however, milk should not be used to swallow the pill.

 

Summary

Leniencies for the ill and nursing:

Individuals who are sick, weak, in pain, pregnant or nursing, may not need to wait the full six hours between meat and milk, and can wait as little as one hour, or even no hours, if necessary. This applies to both Ashkenazi and Sephardi and Chabad customs. The following is the order to be practiced in such a case:

1.       Recite an after-blessing.

2.       Wash and clean out one’s mouth.

3.       Wait at least one hour between consuming milk and meat, if possible.

 

Medications and dairy consumption:

Dairy medications can be taken within six hours of eating meat for those who are sick, or in pain. Specific products like kosher bovine gelatin capsules and liver tablets are classified as pareve and can be consumed immediately after eating dairy.   

 

_______________________________________

[1] See Pesakim Uteshuvos 89:3; 7-8

[2] See Rama 155:3; Shach Y.D. 155:13-14; Yad Avraham Y.D. ibid; Admur 442:22 and 30; Noda Beyehuda Kama Y.D. 35; Levushei Mordechai O.C. 1:86; Toras Chaim; Shulchan Shlomo 17; Shevet Halevi 7:135

[3] See Rama 155:3 regarding Yayin Nesech of today [which may only be Rabbinically forbidden-see Rama 123:1; Shach 155:15]; Shach 155:14 learns this ruling of Rama applies to even a Rabbinically forbidden food and that so is explicit in the Ran and Rivash ibid; Ran Pesachim 25b; Ritva Pesachim 26b; Ramban in Toras Hadam Shaar Hamichush 71; One way of understanding Avoda Zara 40b in story that Rebbe drank apple wine to heal himself; Ran Perek Kol Shah; Rivash 45

[4] Opinion in Rama 89:1; Tosfos Chulin 104b and 105a; Ravaya; Bahag Brachos 6/9; Rosh Chulin 5 in name of Rabbeinu Tam

[5] Michaber 89:1; Rambam Machalos Assuros 9:28; Ran Chulin 37b that so is opinion of Rif; Rabbeinu Chananel; Baal Haitur 2:13; Tur 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 Tosfos; Rashal Kol Habasar 70 wonders why Ashkenazi Jewry became accustomed to be lenient against the Rambam and Rif

[6] See Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 89:1 for a dispute between the Rambam/Michaber [Rabbinical] and Tosfos/Rama [Custom].

[7] Chochmas Adam 40:13; Zivcheiy Tzedek 89:11; Ben Ish Chaiy Shelach 11; Igros Kodesh Rashab 2:924 [Toras Shalom 35]; Aruch Hashulchan 89:6; Amudei Hashulchan on Kitzur SHU”A 4; Darkei Teshuvah 89:20; Daas Kedoshim 89:1; Nidcheiy Yisrael 33:6; Kaf Hachaim 87:7 and 21 and 26; Mateh Reuvein 185; Mahariy Dushinsky 1:87; Sheivet Haleivi 2:32 and 4:84; Migdanos Eliyahu 5:9; Shraga Hameir 3:118; Beir Moshe 4:24; Yavin Daas 89:1; Yechaveh Daas 3:58; So rule regarding Meiy Chalav: Chasam Sofer Y.D. 73; Pischeiy Teshuvah 87:3; Avnei Yashpei 5:101;

[8] The reason: As a sick person may be lenient like those opinions who rule that waiting six hours between meat and dairy is never required.

[9] Zivcheiy Tzedek ibid; Ben Ish Chaiy ibid; Kaf Hachaim ibid; Yechaveh Daas ibid

[10] Rebbe Rashab ibid

[11] Chochmas Adam ibid

[12] Aruch Hashulchan ibid

[13] Such as one who has heartburn may take a dairy medicine, and even drink a cup of milk, in order to relieve his pain. [Piskei Horah Hearah 9 in name of Rav Shtern; Pesakim Uteshuvos 89:3 footnote 31]

[14] Rama ibid; Tosfos Chulin 104b and 105a; Ravaya; Bahag Brachos 6:9; Rosh Chulin 5 in name of Rabbeinu Tam; Rebbe Rashab ibid; All Poskim ibid;

[15] Rama ibid; Tosfos Chulin 104b and 105a; Ravaya; Bahag Brachos 6:9; Rosh Chulin 5 in name of Rabbeinu Tam; Aruch Hashulchan ibid; Darkei Tehsuvah ibid

Does this apply even if one waits an hour: Yes. [Shelah Tractate Shavuos p. 30; Taz 89:2; Minchas Yaakov 76:3; P”M 89 M”Z 2; S.D. 7; Yad Yehuda 89:9; Darkei Teshuvah 89; Aruch Hashulchan ibid] Some Poskim however rule that there is no need to perform Kinuach and Hadacha once one has waited an hour. [Shach 89:7; Peri Chadash 89:7; Elya Raba 173:7; Chochmas Adam ibid; Chaguras Shmuel 89:3; Emek Hateshuvah 6:314]See Pesakim Uteshuvos ibid footnote 37

[16] Rama ibid; Chochmas Adam ibid; Rebbe Rashab ibid; Mateh Reuvein ibid; Most Poskim ibid

[17] Salmas Chaim Y.D. 11; Yechaveh Daas 3:58; Orchos Rabbeinu 3:78 in name of Chazon Ish; Avnei Yashpei 5:101 [however for pregnant – only in time of great need]; Rav Elyashiv in Ashrei Haish Y.D. 5:22; Pesakim Uteshuvos 89:3 footnote 32

[18] Yad Efraim; Yeshuos Yaakov 89:1; Even Yisrael 9:126

[19] As some Poskim hold one is only required to wait until the start of the 6th hour

[20] Sefas Emes 23; Mateh Reuvein ibid

[21] See Daas Kedoshim 89:1; Yavin Daas ibid; Mahariy Dushinsky 1:87; Migdanos Eliyahu 5:9; Pesakim Uteshuvos 89:3 footnote 31 and 33

[22] Koveitz Teshuvos 1:73; Sheivet Haleivi 7:118; Pesakim Uteshuvos 89:3 footnote 85

[23] Piskei Horah Hearah 9 in name of Rav Shtern; Pesakim Uteshuvos 89:7 footnote 31

[24] See Achiezer 3:33-5; Igros Moshe Y.D. 2:23 and 27; Minchas Yitzchak 5:5; Shevet Halevi 7:135; Yabia Omer, Yoreh De’ah 8:11; Rabbi Yechezkel Abramski in the introduction to Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 4

[25] Igros Moshe Y.D. 2:26; Rivivos Efraim 5:517; Beir Moshe; Pesakim Uteshuvos 89:7 footnote 74; Yakut Yosef 89:28

About The Author

Leave A Comment?

You must be logged in to post a comment.