Themes of Featured Ascent Lights

The Midrash teaches that the Jews merited their first redemption from Egypt, despite the fact that they didn’t keep the commandments of the Torah and practiced idol-worship just like their Egyptian neighbors - all in the merit of their distinctive Jewish names, mode of dress, and language. Nonetheless, our Purim heroes -- “Esther” and “Mordecai” – are known expressly by their Persian names. Esther's Hebrew name, “Hadassah”, is mentioned in the Megilla only once and Mordecai's not at all.

Therefore, Sefer HaKana found sources for these names in the Torah to show the names’ integral holiness, as well as what they teach us about each person’s main characteristic. Esther’s name alluded to her secretiveness, as well as to the hidden hand directing the events of her life. Mordecai's name alluded to his righteousness and leadership qualities

King Saul didn't complete the full extermination of the nation of Amalek on his first historical mission as king of Israel. Not only that, but the next morning when Samuel came to rebuke him, initially Saul tried to explain away his actions.

Had he initially recognized his mistake and repaired the damage himself, he conceivably could have regained favor in G-d's eyes, for a penitent is even more favorable than a completely righteous person. David the paramount repentant, merited to have a royal line of kings descend from him, whereas Saul's reign lasted a mere two years, notwithstanding his outstanding character traits.