David's Siyum on Kinnim and Seder Kodshim

Thank you everyone for joining with me as I celebrate my siyum on Mesechtas Kinnim (or Kainim) and Seder Kodshim. Seder Kodshim is the third Seder that I am finishing

I figures it was a good time to make a siyum on Kodshim since my Brother is in Prager's and we can talk the same Shprach.

I would like to thank my mother for supporting my learning and my father for learning with me.

Introduction to Last Mishnah in Messechtas Kinnim

Mesechtas Kinnim is the final Mesechta in Seder Kodshim and discusses the bringing of Bird Korbonos.

Much of the Mesechta discusses the situation when the birds get mixed up and you do not know if they are meant to be a Korban Olah or a Korban Chattas. One of the main differences is where you place the blood on the Mizbeach. An Bird Olah's blood goes on the top half of the Mizbeach while the Bird Chattas' blood goes on the bottom half. According to the Tanna in our Mesechta, if you mix them up the Korbonos are Pasul.

The final Mishna begins with a discussion of a woman who gave birth and has to bring a pair of birds as a korban, one as an Olah and one as a Chattas. In addition, she promises two additional bird korbonos which are also Korban Olos. the birds get mixed up and the MIshnah has to deal with how many bords this lady must bring in order to fulfill her obligation. The Mishna then discusses a series of more complicated cases.

The Mishnah concludes, however, with an Aggadic saying by Rabbi Shimon ben Akashia that does not on its face have anything to do with the topic of the Mishnah or the Mesechta,

Specifically, rabi Shimon teaches that unlike secular wise men, whose minds and wisdom may deteriorate over time, perhaps becuase science changes or their thinking is outdated, Talmidei Chachomim and their wisdom benefit from age as they can accumulate more Torah Knowledge and pass it along to the next generation.

One potential connection between this final saying and our Mesechta is that in Pirkei Avos we are taught that this the Dinim of Kinnim is a core topic in Halacha--despite its difficulty it requires great Chochmo. We therefore conclude the mesechta by talking about and praising Talmidei Chachomim.