In the Bible, blessings and curses are related; the book of Deuteronomy prescribes that obedience to the Torah brings God's blessing, while disobedience brings a curse.

The occasion provides a special opportunity for a gathering of the members of the community to mark the joyful event and to thank God, from whom all blessings come, for the gift of a new home.

It's a good way for students to count their blessings, Boynton said. "Just to understand how blessed they are and how they can pass that blessing along to other people," he said.