Time to set the "Halachic" expert straight. Torah is binding. Interpretations of Torah are not. You take one interpretation of "Talmud" and impune all of Judaism. The Talmud is the Babylonian and Jerusalem Mishnahs along with Gemara (interpretations of Mishna). Newsflash: These interpretations do not have to agree. Nor do the interpretations of the interpretations. Such as the many writings of interpretations post-Talmud; Maimonides' Mishnah Torah, Shulchan Aruch, Midrash, Zohar, Siddur, Machzor, Haggadah, and the many written Responsa liturature. You don't just take a certain Jewish writing and call it "Halachic". What's "Halachic" for one, isn't necessarily "Halachic" for another.
Saying nothing is binding but the Torah is like saying, nothing the Church says is binding but the Bible. People tend to listen to authority, and I don't think rabbis make frivolous statements. Halacha is derived from the Thorah, and many a rabbi will tell you that these pronouncements are in agreement with it. You can take up your issues of expertise to the source, which I included.
On the unregenerate (given to the Jews before Christ) .
Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Romans 4:15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.
Romans 5:13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.
Romans 13:1,4 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities...for he is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
1 Timothy 1:8-10 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine...
The law deals with sin. The law makes us aware of our condition and our need for Savior.
"because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."