Re: רמב"ם- תלמיד חכם

Just wanted to mention that the רמב"ם uses the term 'תלמיד החכמים'- i.e. 'was' (and is) the student of wise. Now he himself is a 'חכם' (who also officiates as a 'master' (רב) to students).

To reiterate; when the רמב"ם (for example) speaks about how 'תלמידי חכמים' should or shouldn't present themselves, he's talking about both 'צורבא מרבנן' (rabbinic students) and 'חכמים עצמם' (and their teachers).

זאת אומרת למד אצל רבו, שהוא חכם- ונהיה תלמיד של חכם (או תלמיד "חכמים"- מסורת התורה). ועכשיו גם הוא חכם, ורב לתלמידים

Hebrew defenitions: חכם, ותלמיד חכם

I saw a gentleman on the bus (who didn't look Jewish) find a book next to him on the bus, and take it with him (with what looked like the intention to read it). I suspected him of being both non-Jewish, and not a תלמיד חכם obviously. I don't think that was right of me. It could be he was Jewish, and just didn't see any (halachic) point in wearing a head covering. It could also be he was somewhat of a תלמיד חכם because he knew the law that he was allowed to take it, etc.)

I think the definition of "תלמיד חכם" means someone who learned well from their "רב" (Master). It does denote being a "good student", but more than that, a disciple of a "חכם". In Hebrew חכמה denotes knowing a certain amount of information, so it would mean; "someone who keeps the information that they were taught and that they reviewed (ששינן) by the חכם". The חכם himself was and is also still a "תלמיד חכם", but now he's less of a student and more of a conduit of knowledge.

(Latter addition: The Rambam says a talmid chacham should cover his head; could be that's where the idea that everyone should (halachicly) cover their heads came from).

ממני ס"ט