Milk & Meat - Waiting If Ill

QUESTION: I just finished eating meat for dinner, and I am now suffering from a terrible migraine headache. I might feel better if I drink a cup of coffee, but I can’t drink coffee without milk. Am I permitted to drink my coffee with milk?

ANSWER: The Chasam Sofer (YD 73) writes that if one is even minimally ill and it is advisable for him to drink mei mei chalav (whey permeate), he may do so after having eaten meat, as long as he recites a bracha acharona to end the meat meal and waits one hour. Although one could have understood that the leniency of the Chasam Sofer is limited to mei mei chalav, which is only dairy according to rabbinic decree, but would not extend to actual milk or cheese, the Shevet Halevi (2:32) writes that the leniency of the Chasam Sofer can be applied to any dairy product that is needed by someone who is unwell. The Chochmas Adam (40:13) as well writes that one who is ill may drink milk after having eaten beef, provided that they wait an hour and brush their teeth. Rav Ovadia Yosef, zt”l (Yechaveh Daas 4:41) writes that Sefardim too can be lenient. Even though Sefardim follow the ruling of Shulchan Aruch that the need to wait six hours is a real obligation and not just a minhag, one who is ill can rely on the Rishonim who are lenient.

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