I HAVE A STUDENT WHO TOLD ME THAT HIS FATHER CHANGED THE FAMILY MINHAG TO WAIT SIX HOURS BETWEEN MILK AND MEAT, TO WAITING ONLY THREE. HIS MOTHER SAYS THAT HE SHOULD WAIT 6, WHILE HIS FATHER INSISTS 3.
From a strictly halachic standpoint what should he do? Are there any other variables? thank you very much
Answer:
He can in principle rely on his father’s “testimony” and wait three hours. If he knows that there was no such family custom, he should wait the full six hours.
Sources:
Although the general custom is to wait six hours, as ruled by the Shulchan Aruch (89:1) and as endorsed by the Rema and the Shach, the custom of German Jews, and many English communities today, is to wait three hours.
If the student’s family originates from Germany, and this is likely to be his family custom, he can continue to wait three hours.
If not, it is better to wait six hours, which is the regular custom that most people follow. It is hard to change to the custom of waiting only three hours, because the source of the custom is not clear.
Having said this, the person can rely on his father’s “testimony” that his family custom is to wait three hours alone, and need only adopt the regular custom if he knows that this is not accurate.
