THE CEREMONY OF BRINGING THE FIRSTFRUITS OF BARLEY

The Mishnah Menachot 10:1-5 describes the ceremony.

If the barley was ripe it was taken from the vicinity of Jerusalem; otherwise, it could be brought from anywhere in Israel. It was reaped by three men each with his own scythe and basket. The grain was then brought to the Temple where it was threshed, parched, spread on the courtyard floor to be dried by the wind, milled and ground into fine flour.

It was then sifted through 13 sieves and one tenth was given to the priest who mixed it with oil and frankincense for "a pleasing odor to the Lord" and "waved" it "before the Lord." This was done by the priest taking the offering on his outstretched hands and moving it from side to side and up and down. After the waving ceremony a handful was burnt on the altar and the rest was eaten by the priests.