(Fol. 43b) We are taught in a Baraitha concerning the passage (Num. 15, 39) That ye may look upon it, i.e., look upon this commandment and ye will remind yourselves about another comandment which depends on it. This is the reading of the Sh'ma; for we are taught in a Mishna: From what time may one read the Sh'ma of the morning [prayer]? From the time one can distinguish [before the daylight] between blue and white colors. We are taught in another Baraitha: That ye may look upon them, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, i.e., look upon this commandment and ye will remind yourselves of another commandment which is mentioned close to it. To what does it refer? To the following passage (Deut. 22, 11) Thou shalt not wear a mingled stuff, wool and linen together. Thou shalt make the fringes. We are taught in another Baraitha: That ye may look upon them, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, i.e., the commandment of the fringes is equal in value to all other commandments. Again we are taught in another Baraitha: That ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; i.e., the looking upon it causes one to remind himself [of his duties]; the reminding [of a thing] brings one to the action of it. R. Simon b. Jochai says: "Whoever is careful in observing the commandments of the fringes will be rewarded to greet the presence of Shechina; for it is written here that ye may look upon it (Ur-ithem), and again it is written (Deut. 6, 13) The Lord thy God Shalt thou fear (Tira); and Him shalt thou serve."
We are taught that R. Mair said: "Why was purple-blue selected [for the showfringes] rather than any other color? Because purple-blue resembles the [color of the] ocean, and the ocean resembles the sky and the sky resembles the Divine Throne, as it is said (Ex. 24, 10) And there was under His feet the like of a paved work sapphire stone, and the like of the very heavens for clearness, and again there is a passage (Ez. 1, 26) The likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone."
R. Eliezer b. Jacob says: "Whoever wears Phylacteries upon his head, Phylacteries upon his hand, fringes on his cloak and has a Mezuzah on his door-post, these all will preserve him from sin, as it is said (Ecc. 4, 12) And a threefold cord is not quickly broken, and again there is another verse (Ps. 24, 8) The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear the Lord."
R. Mair was accustomed to say that a man is bound to repeat a hundred blessings every day, as it is said (Deut. 10, 12) And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee. (Fol. 44) R. Shesheth said: "He who neglects to wear Tephilin (phylacteries) [every week-day], transgresses eight positive commandments; he who has no fringes on his garment transgresses five positive commandments. Any priest, who does not ascend [the stand] to pronounce the benediction transgresses three positive commandments. He who has no Mezuzah on his door-post transgresses two positive commandments, for the repeated word and ye shall write (Deut. 6,9; 11,20)." Resh Lakish said: "He who does not neglect to lay [every day] Tephilin will live long, as it is said (Is. 38, 16) O Lord, hy these things men live, and altogether therein is the life of my spirit. Wherefor recover Thou me, and make me to live."