by Rabbi Menachem Moshe Oppen
The most important message to communicate to people contemplating learning Maseches Kinim is that the masechta is easier to learn than it seems.
Maseches Kinim presents some of the dinim of bringing korbonos of
birds. A majority of the masechta deals with cases in which
something went wrong in the process of bringing these korbonos,
and the dinim that apply in those cases. This monograph explains
the cases, usually according to the commentary of the Rav
(Bartenura).
This monograph is part of a series on korbonos, whose audience
includes boys of elementary school age as well as adults. The
present edition, however, is constrained by the limitations of
electronic mail, and does not include the diagrams we feel are
necessary for the widest audience.
This edition is intended especially for the use of Daf Yomi
participants, who will reach Maseches Kinim in the summer of
5757. It should be useful to anyone who is approaching the
masechta for the first time and is not prepared to devote the
time it takes to develop the cases on his own.
Also, because of the constraints of the medium, the text of the
Mishnayos is missing. The only correct way to use the present
edition is together with a sefer Mishnayos. We hope BS"D to
publish a paper edition that also includes the text of the Mishna
and some 43 diagrams of the cases.
We would also appreciate knowing if you think diagrams would be
helpful to you. The points at which we plan diagrams are marked.
We may be able to provide diagrams on paper in the near future.
We hope you find this class informative and stimulating! Subscribe to Kinim and receive the weekly class via e-mail.
Feedback is appreciated, so please send comments and critiques to Rabbi Menachem Moshe Oppen oppen@torah.org.
