The following question was asked, and I believe it is an important topic to address.
Question:
How long do I need to wait between eating meat and dairy?
I’ve heard that waiting is just a minhag, and historically, some simply rinsed their mouths. My parents mentioned that an hour is fine, but I’ve also seen different opinions. What’s the actual halacha? Can I just brush my teeth or rinse my mouth instead of waiting? And if a specific waiting time is required, why that amount?
It is a minhag (custom), and we should not become overly fixated on a simple minhag. In modern times, it has been elevated to one of the most emphasized aspects of Jewish practice—second only to wearing a kippah—but this is completely inappropriate.
You are free to choose a waiting period that works for you, whether it’s an hour, two, three, or more. If observing this custom causes discomfort, confusion, or brings up difficult memories, you are equally free to disregard it entirely. If you have health concerns or dietary restrictions, you should certainly not adhere to it at all.
If your upbringing placed excessive emphasis on this practice, leading to undue stress, it may be beneficial to step away from it for a time and later decide whether to reintegrate it into your life with a healthier perspective. It is ironic that many people would sooner violate one of the Ten Commandments than eat dairy after meat at 5 hours and 55 minutes.