Our Parashah discuss the mitzvah of Birkas Kohanim
This mitzvah applies to all generations, and even nowadays, we are privileged to be blessed by the Kohanim. But why did Chazal specifically place Birkat Kohanim after the blessing of Modim? There are so many other blessings in the Shmoneh Esrei that Birkat Kohanim could have followed.
Our Rabbis teach that when we express heartfelt gratitude to Hashem, it opens the gates of blessing. When these gates are open, it is a very auspicious time for us to request whatever we need. Therefore, Birkat Kohanim occurs specifically after Modim, because our gratitude helps open up these gates of blessing.
For the same reason, following Modim we recite the blessing of Sim Shalom, which contains many requests: we ask Hashem for peace, goodness, and blessing. Although the three final blessings of the Shmoneh Esrei are dedicated to praising Hashem and not specifically for requests, since we thank Hashem during Modim, we take advantage of the special moment when the gates of blessing have opened.
(Source: Seder HaYom)
An avreich from Eretz Yisrael began to suffer from vision problems. He flew to America to consult with a specialist, who informed him that he had a very severe eye condition. The surgery required to address it would be highly complicated, expensive, and carried a significant risk of blindness in one eye.
Naturally, this news was extremely distressing. The avreich would have to remain in America—far from his family and support system—and face an uncertain outcome. However, instead of falling into despair, he made a conscious effort to focus on gratitude. He reminded himself of the incredible gift of eyesight and how fortunate he was to have had no issues until now.
He entered a nearby shul and stood in front of the Aron HaKodesh for over an hour, pouring out his thanks to Hashem. In great detail, he expressed how deeply grateful he was for the blessing of sight and for all the other goodness in his life.
Shortly afterward, he returned to the specialist for a follow-up. The doctor was completely astonished—the condition had mysteriously disappeared, and the eye looked completely healthy. In his entire career, he had never witnessed anything like it.
Upon returning to Eretz Yisrael, the avreich made a seudas hoda’ah to publicly thank Hashem for this incredible miracle. Soon after, he received a phone call from a man who had heard the story and was deeply inspired. This man had four older daughters who were still unmarried. He and his family decided to hold a seudas hoda’ah, sincerely thanking Hashem for all the blessings in their lives, despite their difficulties.
Within one month, all four daughters were engaged.