Letteratura del Secondo Tempio su Levitico 2:14

The second charge brought against the Cain spirit necessitates an examination of what “first-fruits” are. They must be first in “value,” i.e. virtues (73), but the ἀπαρχή or “first offering” of these is rather an εὐχαριστητικὸς λόγος or body of pious meditation. At this point (74–75) Philo, remembering that in Lev. 2:14 the offering is to be “new, roasted, sliced, pounded,” passes on to an examination of these four, which are treated with much richness of thought. The substance of our meditation must be fresh inspired thoughts (76–79) which will supersede the old-world learning of the schools, dear as that is to Philo (78). It must be hardened by the fire of close reasoning (80–81). It must be “sliced” or divided by careful analysis and classification of the thoughts under their proper headings (82–85), and finally it must be “pounded,” i.e. made part of ourselves by the discipline of repeated meditation (85–87).

[76] Wherefore, “if you bring an offering of first-fruits,” make such division as Holy Writ prescribes (Lev. 2:14). First the new, then the roasted, then the sliced, and last the ground.