Sakana - Recent Studies

QUESTION: Doctors do not consider it dangerous to eat fish and meat together. Is it possible that there is no longer a prohibition to eat fish and meat together?

ANSWER: The Talmud relates in Pesachim (76b) that eating meat and fish together leads to ”davar acher” (literally, “something else”). Rashi explains that “something else” refers to tzara’as (a skin affliction). Though this is a health issue, it is treated with halachic severity, as the Gemara states in Chulin (10a): “Chamira sakanta mei’issura,” which is to say that matters of sakana (danger) are more serious than halachic prohibitions. With the exception of the three cardinal sins, health considerations take precedence over mitzvah performance. The need to separate fish and meat is codified in Shulchan Aruch in two places (OC 173:2 and YD 116:2).

However, poskim point out that the Rambam does not codify the requirement to separate fish and meat. The Magen Avrohom (OC 173:1) notes that some hazards mentioned in the Gemara are no longer dangerous today, and he suggests that consuming meat and fish together may be permissible because it is no longer dangerous. Nonetheless, the Darchei Teshuva (116:16) quotes the Shevus Yaakov (3:70) who rejects the Magen Avrohom’s position. The Chasam Sofer (YD 101) takes a middle ground. He agrees that eating fish and meat together is no longer a sakana. Still one must separate fish and meat because there was a Rabbinic decree to do so. As is the case with most Rabbinic decrees, once enacted, a decree remains in force even if the original concern is no longer present. Common practice is to refrain from eating meat and fish together.

As an aside, the Pischei Teshuva (YD 116:2) writes that in this area of halacha, there is no difference between meat and chicken.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.