Who is Saul Naumann from Bee Season: A Novel and what is their importance?

Saul Naumann spends the first seventeen or so years of his life as Sal Newman, the son of an auto mechanic. When he first discovers his Jewish heritage at the age of thirteen, Sal changes his name back to Saul and goes in search of God—or at least in search of expanded thinking and alternate ways to view the world. Saul turns his back on his father and embarks on a lifelong journey toward transcendence. After extensive experiences with LSD in college, Saul becomes interested in Kaballah, a form of Jewish mysticism. Study for its own sake and the pursuit of knowledge are most important to Saul Naumann.