Question: I heard it’s forbidden to drink water after eating fish. Is that true?

Answer: This practice is mentioned by some of our early halachic authorities. However, in practice, most people today aren’t careful about this, and it’s accepted to follow the majority custom. Sources such as Tosafot (Moed Katan 11a), the commentary of Rabbi Akiva Eiger on Yoreh De’ah (116:5), and the Aruch HaShulchan (116:10) discuss this matter. The caution was likely due to health concerns at the time. However, many today rely on the ruling of the Chatam Sofer (Yoreh De’ah 101) and the Mishnah Berurah (Siman 173:3), who explain that natural conditions have changed, and this restriction no longer applies.