Editing Fish (section)

==== Eating Fish with Meat ====
The Gemara relates that it was forbidden to eat fish roasted with meat because of danger, as Chazal knew that it is "harmful to breath odor and tzaraas". In many matters (like treifos, milah and more) Chazal established halachos based on principles and information that don't necessarily match scientists' opinions today. Therefore even if science would maintain there is no health danger in eating fish and meat together, we rely on Chazal's determination which, being Torah, is absolute, while science constantly changes (and this is its greatness).

Throughout Jewish communities people are careful about this even today, and even discuss if a mixture of fish and meat is nullified in sixty parts like forbidden food. Some are stringent not to cook fish even in a clean pot that was used for meat.

According to the Beis Yosef, one must wash hands between meat and fish. One who ate with a fork and his hands are clean may be lenient with this. According to the Rama, it's sufficient to eat and drink something between meat and fish, and hand washing is not required. In practice, it is customary to say l'chaim on wine or strong drink between fish and meat. The Chabad Rebbeim were also accustomed to rinse their hands with some water. The poskim were also stringent not to bring meat and its dishes to the table while the fish had not been cleared from it.