What Is the Difference Between a Torah Prohibition and a Rabbinic Prohibition?

Greetings and blessings

A rabbinic prohibition means something that the sages of Israel forbade, whether because of a decree, so that one should not come to violate a Torah prohibition; or because of concern that there may be a Torah prohibition here; or because of a protective enactment, for whatever reason they saw a need to prohibit it. This is a rabbinic prohibition.

Although a prohibition that is rabbinic is not stated explicitly in the Torah, nevertheless the Torah warned us (Deuteronomy 17:10-11) of the obligation to listen to and carry out the words of the rabbis, as it is said: And you shall do according to the sentence that they tell you... according to the law that they shall teach you, and according to the judgment that they shall tell you, you shall do. This is a positive commandment. We were also warned by a negative commandment not to depart from the words of the Sages, as it is said: You shall not turn aside from the matter that they shall tell you. One who deliberately violates a rabbinic prohibition may be called a transgressor (Shabbat 40a).

There are many halachic differences between a Torah prohibition and a rabbinic prohibition. For example, regarding a prohibited food that became mixed into permitted foods, we are more lenient when the prohibition is only rabbinic, and every matter requires asking a competent rabbi according to its circumstances.

With great respect - Menashe Israel