The Torah of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul (Ps.19:7).
This project is inspired by a talmudic concept gotten from a class on rabbinic mysticism by R. Aaron Haleva. In its original use, it points to an examination process by which a master tests his graduate student for suitability and initiates him into the study of mysticism. He gives him rashe peraqim (head of chapters), thematic statements to expound on and show his mastery of the whole rabbinic syllabuses and a vigor of mind capable of questing correctly.
I am using this term in its literal sense, as verses, paragraphs, or narrative blocks used as a launch pad for exploring ideas encapsulated in the story of Genesis.
Being indifferently and inadequately educated (in Jewish studies), and possessing only restless curiosity about subjects that interest me, I am only adapting the term for a different use. I wish to explore the story of Genesis (specifically the first eleven chapters) as all that matters in story of human society. With individual verses, paragraphs or individual events as a focal point, we can afford a multi-dimensional look in a moment. On the other hand, because these verses flow in a narrative, they explain and flow into each other, more like nerve nodes in a spine.
An elevator pitch for the endeavor? A theory of everything human, from my subjective view, based on the Torah. I embark on sketching out the rough details, with a variety of illustrations taken from diverse sources. A popsci book would begin as its orienting idea that the scientific process is the most accurate and reliable method to map the physical world and rightly so. No matter the wide range of subjects it deals with, as long as it maintains this principle in its investigations, it will produce a coherent work.
The above quote from the Psalms, rather than being read as a bias, should be seen for the orienting principle it is.