To start with, take a raw beginner in hand (5)
I believe the answer is:
first
'to start' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'raw beginner in hand' is the wordplay.
'beginner' suggests taking the first letters.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'hand' becomes 'fist' (hand curled into a fist).
The initial letter of 'raw' is 'r'.
'r' going inside 'fist' is 'FIRST'.
'with take a' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for first that I've seen before include "at the outset" , "Prime" , ""Eclipse _____ ..." , "second to none" , "Before all else" .)