The Midrash Tanchuma explains that the various korbanos (offerings) are brought only from oxen, goats, sheep and birds, and not from fish, since animals and fowl have a similarity to human beings; they have flesh and blood as humans and they are born from the womb as humans, in contrast to fish which spawn eggs. Although fowl lay eggs, they care for these eggs until they hatch. The mother will remain with the young, feeding and nurturing them until they are fit to fend for themselves. Fish however, have absolutely no relationship with their young. In order to be used as an offering to serve as an atonement for a human being it is necessary to use a living thing which is similar to humans. We may use only those creatures whose “parents” have a “relationship” of caring for their young.
