Powtórzonego Prawa 15:19 Halacha: Sefer HaChinukh, Mishneh Torah, Prayer and the Priestly Blessing, Sheiltot d'Rav Achai Gaon & Mishneh Torah, Positive Mitzvot

However, regarding the matter of lashes, there is a difference between [the examples]. As all those [simply] specified in one negative commandment only receive one [set of] lashes — for example, “the wage of a harlot and the price of a dog” (Deuteronomy 23:19); and “leaven and [...] honey” (Leviticus 2:11); “the case of a stranger [or] an orphan” (Deuteronomy 24:17), and all that is similar to them. But the negative commandments that [also] have a general category and are specified at the beginning or end [of the category] — for example, this negative commandment that specified “uncooked and boiled” and is [then] generalized, “Do not eat [...] but only roasted with fire”; and so [too], with a nazerite (Numbers 6:4), “from anything that is obtained from the grapevine [...] may he not eat,” and afterwards it specifies, “seeds [...] or skin,” (“and grapes wet and dry,” Numbers 6:3) — with these and those similar to them, we give lashes for each and every one. [This is] because the inclusion of the specification that was not needed indicates lashes for each one [of them], as we have said. And the teacher was prolific in his proofs about this in the ninth shoresh in his Book of the Commandments — that the calculation of commandments is not the same as the calculation of [which commandments require] lashes [independently]. And that which I have said that Ramban, may his memory be blessed, will count each of the ones specified by their names individually — each one by itself — only when they are separate in their content, as we have written; [it] is, for example, [in the case of] “leaven and honey,” [and] “the wage and the price.” But in a case where it is the same content — even if they are specified by different names — they are only counted as one commandment. For example, “All male firstborns that are born in your herd and in your flock” (Deuteronomy 15:19) is only one commandment to sanctify all of the firstborns; and the specification is [also] only one commandment. And so [too], “All tithes of the herd or flock” (Leviticus 27:32) is only one commandment to separate to give the tithes of these animals. And so [too], “Judges and officers” (Deuteronomy 16:18) is only that we should establish justice through these people and it is one commandment. And so [too], “An honest balance, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin” (Leviticus 19:36) is all one commandment, that we should not lie about measures.

The regular sequence is interrupted for the three Festivals and for the Day of Atonement, when we read a section appertaining to the Festival and not the weekly portion of the Sabbath. Moses ordained that on each festival a section bearing upon it should be read. On every festival too, the discussion and discourse are on the topic of the day. What sections are read? On Passover, from the section concerning the festivals in the book of Leviticus (22:26-23:44). The people have however the custom of reading on the first day that beginning, "Draw out, and take unto yourselves lambs (Exodus 12:21-51); and the lesson from the Prophets is the account of the Passover at Gilgal (Joshua 5:2-15). On the second day, that beginning, "When a bullock or sheep" (Leviticus 22:26-23:44); and the lesson from the Prophets is the account of Josiah's Celebration of the Passover (II Kings 23:1-25). On the third day, that beginning, "Sanctify unto me all the first born" (Exodus 13:1-16). On the fourth day, that beginning, "If thou lend money" (Exodus 22:24-23:19). On the fifth day, that beginning, "Hew thee two tables of stone" (ibid. 34:1-26). On the sixth day, that beginning, "Let the children of Israel keep the Passover in its appointed season" (Numbers 9:1-14). On the seventh day, that beginning, "And it came to pass when Pharaoh had let the people go" (Exodus 13:17-15:26) to the end of the Song, and up to the words "I am the Lord that healeth thee"; and the lesson from the Prophets is that beginning, "And David spoke" (II Samuel 22:1-51). On the eighth day, that beginning, "All the firstling males" (Deuteronomy 15:19-16:17); and the lesson from the Prophets is that beginning, "This very day" (Isaiah 10:32-12:6).

On Pentecost, the section from the Pentateuch is that beginning, "Seven weeks" (Deuteronomy 16:9-17). But the general custom is to read on the first day of the feast the section beginning, "In the third month" (Exodus 19:1-20:26). And the lesson from the Prophets is "The vision of the Chariots" (Ezekiel 1:1-28). On the second day the section read is that concerning the Festivals, beginning, "All the firstling males" (Deuteronomy 15:19-16:17) and the lesson from the Prophets is taken from Habakuk (3:1-end).