Halacha and Civil Legislation: Defining the Space for Human Creativity

The advent of the modern Jewish State of Israel has generated discussion as to the Halachic recognition of non-Halachic legislation. Five such conceptual models have been discussed as precedents. Yet each model entails various reservations or caveats. I discuss the ideas common to both the proponents and reservations - revealing the underlying religious implications of humanity's place in God's world.