Pilgrims clad in white robes climbed the rocky Mount of Mercy, which oversees the plain of Arafat where the Prophet Mohammad held his last sermon.
While international tourists have been barred from entering Israel, the country’s parks and attractions have renewed and upgraded for returning and first-time foreign visitors.
Last year, thousands of pilgrims in Israel protested being prevented from visiting the gravesite of Rabbi Nachman.
"With Serigne Touba everything is possible, I am not afraid despite the pandemic, we took precautions."
The plan being drawn up by the Israeli ministerial team is expected to allow around 6,000 pilgrims to travel to Uman from Israel, a figure which is acceptable to the Breslov leadership.
For most of the year, the city of 80,000 is sleepy and quiet.
Uman's mayor plans to use all legal options to block the city as pilgrims enter despite regulations.
Early reports described a nightmarish situation with Ukrainians running throughout the city armed with knives and clubs looking for Jews.
As an Australian, Thanksgiving was never part of my tradition. Nevertheless, it always sounded wonderful.