1,017. Who is a Torah Scholar?

144:6 A person is considered to be a Torah scholar by his contemporaries if he knows how to conduct business according to the Torah, he is largely familiar with the Oral Law and later authorities, the Torah is his occupation - even if he has a little business on the side in order to earn a living to provide for his family, but not in order to get rich - and every hour that he is free, he occupies himself with Torah matters. According to the law, such a person is exempt from all kinds of taxes and fees, even if he is wealthy. Even taxes that are levied on each person individually, the residents of the city are obligated to pay his share, though everything depends on the good will of the residents.

144:7 A Torah scholar who treats the mitzvos lightly and has no fear of Heaven is no better than the least significant member of the community.