What's the difference between rules and law?

In general, there is not a great deal of difference between
these. For example, some dictionary definitions of "law" say that it is a set of rules. There
are, however, some differences.

The term "law" generally refers to a
rule (for want of a better word) that has been formally made to apply to everyone in a society.
In a democratic system, a law is something that has been passed by a legislature. In other words,
a law is much more formal than a rule.

There is another, more
technical, difference that is used in the United States, at least. A law is something that has
been passed by the legislative process. By contrast, a rule is something that has been created by
the executive branch. The legislature passes laws that give the executive branch the authority to
make rules. The rules are enforced just like laws. However, the legislature can make laws that
would abolish various rules while the executive cannot make rules that abolish or change the
basic meaning of a law. This definition can be seen in the link
below.

Overall, then, there is not much difference. The word "law"
generally refers to things that are more formal and carry more weight. However, the words are
often used interchangeably.