Talking while Eating
It says in Gemara, as well as in poskim, that one should not talk while eating. Nonetheless, many people are lenient in this matter. According to some opinions, it was dangerous to talk while eating only in the times of the Gemara when people reclined while eating, and due to their position talking increased the chances of the food going down the trachea (windpipe) instead of the esophagus; but since nowadays people eat in an upright position, talking does not pose a danger. However, a simple reading of the Gemara and poskim seems to imply that even when not reclining, talking while eating poses a danger. Some poskim rely on the principle of “Shomer pso’im Hashem” (Hashem protects fools), and claim that there is no need to rebuke people who are lenient in dangerous matters. Nevertheless, it is advisable to be cautious in this matter since it is cited in halachah by numerous poskim. If one wishes to talk while eating, or if they have something important to say, such as a dvar Torah (words of Torah)—which should be said at every meal—they should say it between courses, when there is ample time to speak about important matters. #360