Halakha Bilangan 15:39: Mishneh Torah, Reading the Shema, Mishneh Torah, Fringes, Sefer Mitzvot Katan & Mishneh Torah, Foreign Worship and Customs

What does one read? Three sections as follows: the section beginning, "Hear, O Israel" (Deuteronomy 6:4-9); that commencing, "And it shall come to pass" (Deuteronomy 11:13-21); and that commencing, "And the Lord spoke" (Numbers 15:37-41). The section beginning, "Hear, O Israel" is recited first, because it sets forth the duties of acknowledging the Unity of God, loving Him, and studying His words. This is the great and essential matter on which all depends. Then, the passage beginning, "And it shall come to pass" is read, this containing a charge to fulfill all the other commandments. Finally the section concerning Fringes is read, as it also contains a charge to remember all the commandments.

Although the precept to wear fringes is not incumbent at night, still the section concerning this precept is recited at night, because it mentions the departure from Egypt, which it is a duty to recall by day and at night, as it is said, "that thou mayest remember the day of thy going forth from the land of Egypt all the days of thy life" (Deuteronomy 16:3). The reading of these three sections in this order is termed "The reading of the Shema."

Though the non-fulfillment of either ordinance does not bar the observance of the other ordinance, they are not two precepts but one precept. The ancient sages said, "The text 'and it shall be unto you for a fringe' ", teaches that both ordinances form one precept. The four fringes on the garment are, all of them, indispensable, for the attachment of all the four constitute one precept. Whoever puts on a garment with white fringes or a blue thread or with both together has fulfilled one affirmative precept.