Why is Maseches Brachos in Seder Zeraim? It just doesn't seem to fit with the theme of agriculture. I've asked around and the only answer I got was because some Brachos are on seeds, but that doesn't sound right. Please cite sources.
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1 Answer
From the Rambam's introduction to the Mishna, in my own, loose translation:
When a doctor wants to keep a patient healthy, he first adjusts his diet. Thus, the wise compiler of the Mishna started with B'rachos, adjusting our diet, for no one may eat before saying a b'racha. Then, so as to deal with a complete topic, he spoke of b'rachos in general; and because he would speak of the b'rachos said for "Sh'ma", and saying "Sh'ma" is a mitzva every day, he had to first speak of "Sh'ma" itself, which is thus how he started the Mishna.
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FYI, the same Ramba"m intro also explains more specifically why Brachot began with Kri'at SHema. It is summarized in dafnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Brachos_2.pdf.– DanFJul 1, 2016 at 15:41
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See also Rabenu Yona at the begining of Pirke Avot. מאן דבעי למהוי חסידא, (avot, brachot, nezikin)he asks also why not as avot int in nezikin– koutyJul 1, 2016 at 15:47
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