The Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs

The Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs chronicles a year in the life of the same guy who wrote The Know It All, about his quest to read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica in a year.

Jacobs was a self described agnostic, but took on this project with an open mind. He tackled both Old Testament (Torah to Jews) and New Testament, seeking out various authorities and clergy.

Without belittling or ridiculing any of the infinite varieties of religious experience, Jacobs seemed to respect, if not agree with, those he sought out. For example, at his Jerry Falwell's enclave, he wrote how he found the members there extraordinarly friendly, and non judgemental of him as well. Refreshing, considering the attitude of many Northerner toward Southerns, forget those of the fundamentalist religious persuasion.

I think at the end of the year, Jacobs was changed in some way. He seemed more appreciative and receptive of the spiritual.

Simeon the Just (Shimon HaTzaddik) said: "The world exists through three things: the Law, worship, and beneficence" (Pirkei Avoth 1:2). Or, as it is sometimes said, Torah, Prayer, and Acts of Loving Kindness. And the Study of Torah leads to them all.

Living a biblical life seems to work, too.