Question: Why do we have special rules for the slaughter of animals and birds, but not for fish?

Answer: Thank you for your very interesting question. Clearly, the primary reason why we are obligated to slaughter animals and not fish is because this is what is prescribed by God in the Torah.

Our Rabbi’s in the Talmud (Chullin 27b) explain this in the following way: Animals, which were created from the ground, require more of a slaughtering to disconnect them from the “physicality” of life. Therefore, we must sever both the wind and food pipes. Fish, which were created from water, require no slaughtering at all. However, fowl, which were created from mud (earth and water), only require that one pipe (the trachea) be severed.  Proof that birds are created, at least partly, from water is offered from the fact that birds have scales on their feet, just as fish have scales on the body.

I don’t know that I’ve done justice to your question. Perhaps you have a Rabbi or friend that can sit down and learn the commentaries on the above passage with you.

Take care,

Aaron Tendler

[Editor – See here for another perspective on why fish do not require a particular method of slaughter.]