“Now there arose a new king over Egypt,” the Torah states. It seems like a simple verse, but the Talmud and Rashi quote a debate: Rav and Shmuel differ. One explains: Actually a new king, and the other explains: He issued new decrees.

But why would they debate this issue? This class explores a common thread pervading many of the arguments between Rav and Shmuel throughout the Talmud. Do we give preference to our duties to G-d or our obligations to another human being?

This class was presented on 15 Teves, 5776, December 27, 2015, at Ohr Chaim shul in Monsey, NY.