Halacha Yomis - Hard Cheese, waiting after OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)

Q. Why exactly do people wait six hours after eating aged cheese and after very pungent cheese, even if not aged (v. Yoreh Deah 89:2 and Taz ibid. s.k. 4)? A. Poskim point to the reasons for waiting after eating meat before consuming dairy foods and apply these reasons to the case of hard cheese (before meat) as well. According to Rashi (Chullin 105a d.h. “Assur”), one must wait after eating meat before partaking of milk due to the residual aftertaste of meat left in one’s mouth as a result the meat’s fattiness. According to the Rambam (Hilchos Ma’achalos Asuros 9:28), the rationale for waiting after meat before dairy is due to the likelihood of meat stuck in one’s teeth (“basar bein ha-shinayim”); any such meat requires time to dislodge or disintegrate before one subsequently consumes dairy food. (V. Beis Yosef Orach Chaim 173, Aruch Ha-Shulchan Yoreh Deah 89:11, Taz Yoreh Deah 89 s.k. 4). Please see https://oukosher.org/blog/consumer-kosher/aged-cheese-list/ for practical information.