Lester M. (ThreeCats) reviewed on 1/20/2008 + 34 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 32

The author, raised as a secular Jew in New York City, is an agnostic who became fascinated with the role that religion plays in modern life and politics, and especially Judeo-Christian religions in which the Bible is interpreted literally. He decided to try to live one full year in (to the degree possible) literal accordance with all 600+ rules for living in the Hebrew Bible, adding the Christian Bible toward the end of the year.

This was in the humor section of my library, but the book is so much more than humor. Mr. Jacobs is funny, yes, but also gentle and thoughtful and honest and open to all kinds of ideas while remaining true to himself, and the new and slightly improved self he became over the year. He is able to see, and celebrate, the absurdities of others - and his own absurdities - without sneering or becoming cynical.

The book was a delight.

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