Halachot and Customs
Why is fish not considered meat?
Question
I have another question and would appreciate it if you could explain why fish is not considered meat but rather pareve, since fish is also from a living creature.
Thank you.
Answer
Shalom uverachah
The Torah prohibited only the meat of livestock. The Sages added a prohibition on poultry as well, since in common usage it is called meat; if they had not prohibited poultry, people would have thought that even the meat of livestock is permitted, except for the kid. However, since fish is not called meat at all and does not require ritual slaughter, the Sages saw no need to prohibit it.
With blessings,
Binyamin Shmueli
