Butterflies have long represented transformation in cultures across the globe, and in the modern Jewish faith, they help illustrate the concept of tshuvah, or spiritual metamorphosis.
Rabbis often use the life cycle to teach about shedding old habits, embracing change and realizing potential. Those are the tenets of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and the holiest day of the year in Judaism, which begins Sunday.
As devout members of the faith, Bruce and Ellie Wainer keep the butterfly’s symbolism central to their Old Metairie home with a joyous, multicolored metal sculpture called “Book of Life” by David Kracov…