Why is the talmud a valuable record of Jewish laws?

Answer 1

Religious Jews live by the Torah, by obeying its commands and beliefs. There are hundreds of examples. However, the Torah "as is" isn't exactly what Judaism observes. Rather, It's the Torah together with the details provided in the Talmud, which is the Oral Law that was handed down together with the laws of Moses. Otherwise, the verses of the Torah often lack enough detail to be fulfilled as is.
For instance, the law of honest weights and measures (Leviticus 19:36) does not state if any deviation is permitted. How often do the scales need calibration? What is the penalty for overcharging? Etc.
The laws (Deuteronomy ch.17) concerning the judges (Torah-sages; Sanhedrin) do not say what exactly constitutes bribery (Deuteronomy 16:19). Is it bribery if I compliment a judge before the court case but do not give a gift? And myriad other questions: How many judges are a quorum for Torah-courts? Is there a time limit for court cases? Etc.
The laws concerning restitution for damages (Exodus ch.22) do not tell us if payment needs to be made for emotional stress.
The key Hebrew word in Exodus 22:4 can mean either fire or cattle. Which is it? Or is it both?
In Exodus 22:5, is there a difference in restitution between deliberate and accidental spreading of fire?
So the answer to your question is that the Torah (Hebrew scripture) summarizes our laws, while it is the function of the Talmud to expand upon the details, and to give us the precedents and Torah-tools for determining new cases in the future.

Answer 2

1) It provides precedents for future rulings.

2) Religious Jews live by the Torah, by obeying its commands and beliefs. There are hundreds of examples. However, the Torah "as is" isn't exactly what Judaism observes. Rather, It's the Torah together with the details provided in the Talmud. Otherwise, the verses of the Torah often lack enough detail to be fulfilled as is.

For instance, the law of honest weights and measures (Leviticus 19:36) does not state if any deviation is permitted. How often do the scales need calibration? What is the penalty for overcharging? Etc.

The laws (Deuteronomy ch.17) concerning the judges (Torah-sages; Sanhedrin) do not say what exactly constitutes bribery (Deuteronomy 16:19). Is it bribery if I compliment a judge before the court case but do not give a gift? And myriad other questions: How many judges are a quorum for Torah-courts? Is there a time limit for court cases? Etc.

The laws concerning restitution for damages (Exodus ch.22) do not tell us if payment needs to be made for emotional stress.

The key Hebrew word in Exodus 22:4 can mean either fire or cattle. Which is it? Or is it both?

In Exodus 22:5, is there a difference in restitution between deliberate and accidental spreading of fire?

So the answer to your question is that the Torah (Hebrew scripture) summarizes our laws, while it is the function of the Talmud to expand upon the details, and to give us the precedents and Torah-tools for determining new cases in the future.

Answer 3

Because the verses of the Torah often lack enough detail to be fulfilled as is.
For example, "binding the words of God upon your arm" (Deuteronomy 6) -- is that a metaphor or is it literal?
Thanking God after eating (Deuteronomy 8) -- what is the wording of the relevant blessing(s)? After what amount of food should we say the blessing?
It is the function of the Talmud to expand upon these kinds of details, and to give us the precedents and Torah-tools for determining other questions in the future.

• Link: Some examples of the Torah's commands

• Link: More about the Talmud
• Link: What is the problem with interpreting the Hebrew Bible literally