Better understanding masechtot ketanot

Question

I am not knowledgeable about masechtot ketanot. Wikipedia writes they are essays from the Tannaitic period or later dealing with topics about which no formal tractate exists in the Mishnah. I understand from this question they have been translated in English but not in recent times.

I'd like to better understand the centrality and relevance of these masechtot. Does the gemara make reference to them? Do later halachic codes rely on them? Would some of these tractates be considered important required reading for an educated Jew?

Answer 1

1. “Does the gemara make reference to them?” Yes, to some.
2. “Do later halachic codes rely on them?” Yes, on some.
3. “Would some of these tractates be considered important required reading for an educated Jew?” In my opinion, yes. One obvious reason, see 1 & 2.

For more information on the above questions see the prologues of the following critical editions:

• Soferim
• Sefer Torah, Mezuzah, Tefillin, Zizit, Abadim, Kutim & Gerim
• Masechtos Ze’iros, ed. Higger, N.Y. 1929 (cf. DE, below)
• Masechtos Derech Eretz, ed. Higger, N.Y. 1935
• Kallah, ed. Higger, N.Y. 1936
• Semachot (some opine that Semachot and Evel [Rabbasi] are the same), ed. Higger, N.Y. 1931 (republished Jer. 1970); The Tractate Mourning, ed. Dov Zlotnick, Yale University Press 1966