Esther 10:3, Question 4. Why does the verse say Mordechai “sought good?”

• Ibn Ezra explains that the verse says Mordechai “sought good” in that he actively looked for opportunities to help rather than wait to be asked.
• Dena Pishra stresses that Mordechai was kind to gentiles, as well – after all, together with us, they too are children of one Father.
• The Midrash (Esther Rabba 6:8) writes that the good he performed was his checking on the welfare of Esther, and therefore one who checks on welfare of Jews merits a blessing.
• The Chasam Sofer teaches that Mordechai cared so much for Jews, the Mishna (Shekalim 5:1) records that he was given the name Patachya, which translates as “he opened H-Shem,” implying a generosity of spirit.
• Lekach Tov writes that the “good” he performed was the separating of money from Haman’s assets to rebuild the Beis HaMikdash.
• The Ben Ish Chai demonstrates that Mordechai’s “good” was directed at Israel because the Talmud (Brachos 48b) explains the Torah’s (Devorim 3:25, see Rashi there) phrase “the good mountain” as a reference to Yerushalayim. It was made great by H-Shem choosing to rest His Shechina in the the holy Temple there. Therefore, despite his success, Mordechai never forgot his people and his homeland.