Question:
Is there a strict halacha that one may not talk while he is eating (specifically in the process of chewing)? This would seem to be difficult during meals with other people were there is frequent conversation.
Answer:
From a technical halachic aspect, this is the correct thing to do, and only to talk while not eating or between courses. However there are poskim who say that since many are not careful with this, “shomer pesaim H-shem”.
Sources:
O:CH 179-1 and Sharei Teshuva there, and M:B -1
