ירושלמי מועד קטן י׳׳ז ב׳
אי זהו תלמיד חכם חזקיה אמר כל ששנה הלכות ועוד תורה א"ל ר' יוסי הדא דאת אמר בראשונה אבל עכשיו אפילו הלכות. ר' אבהו בשם ר"י כל שהוא מבטל עסקיו מפני משנתו. תני כל ששואלין אותו והוא משיב א"ר הושעיא כגון אנן דרבבינן משגחין עלינן ואנן מתיבין לו. אמר רבי בא בר ממל כל שהוא יודע לבאר משנתו ואנן אפילו רבבינן לא חכמין מבארה מתניתן. איזהו רבו כל שפתח לו תחילה דברי רבי אליעזר רבי יהודה אומר כל שרוב תלמודו ממנו רבי יודי אומר כל שהאיר עיניו במשנתו אפילו בדבר אחד. ר' אבהו בשם ר"י הלכה כדברי מי שהוא אומר כל שרוב תלמודו ממנו.
Jerusalem Talmud Moed Kattan 17b
Who is Torah scholar? Hezekiah says all who teach halakhah and additional Torah. Rabbi Yosi says that this was the case once, but now, even if it's just halakhah. Rabbi Abahu says in the name of Rabbi Yehudah, anyone who puts aside his business for his learning. It's taught that when anyone asks him and he answers, Rabbi Hoshaya says that it is like we rabbis are considering it and we answer him. Rabbi said that Bar Memel came and said that when someone knows how to explain his teaching, then we, even though great, do not in our wisdom explain their Mishnah. Who is great? Anyone who opens the start of their teaching with the words of Rabbi Eliezer. Rabbi Yehudah says, one who has many students who have come from him. Rabbi Yudi says, anyone who shines his eyes in Mishnah, even if in just one matter. Rabbi Abahu in the name of Rabi Yehuda said, the halakha is according to the words of whoever said, one whose student is greater than him.
ואמר רבי יוחנן איזהו תלמיד חכם שמחזירין לו אבידה בטביעות העין זה המקפיד על חלוקו להופכו ואמר רבי יוחנן איזהו תלמיד חכם שממנין אותו פרנס על הציבור זה ששואלין אותו דבר הלכה בכל מקום ואומר ואפילו במסכת כלה ואמר רבי יוחנן איזהו תלמיד חכם שבני עירו מצווין לעשות לו מלאכתו זה שמניח חפצו ועוסק בחפצי שמים והני מילי למיטרח בריפתיה ואמר רבי יוחנן איזהו תלמיד חכם כל ששואלין אותו הלכה בכל מקום ואומרה למאי נפקא מינה למנוייה פרנס על הציבור אי בחדא מסכתא באתריה אי בכוליה תנויה בריש מתיבתא.
And with regard to this, Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Who is a Torah scholar of whom the Sages said that one must return a lost object to him based on visual identification, even if he does not provide an identifying sign for it? That is one who makes sure his upper undergarment is turned inward so that the uneven stitching is not visible. This means that he conducts himself like a Torah scholar in all his ways, even in matters of cleanliness and order (Maharsha). On a related note, the Gemara adds that which Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Who is a Torah scholar who may be appointed as a leader of the community? This is one who is asked about matters of halakha on any topic and he is able to answer, and even if he were asked about tractate Kalla, a tractate that few have mastered. And Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Who is the Torah scholar for whom the inhabitants of his city are commanded to perform his labor for him? This is one who sets his own matters aside and engages in matters of Heaven. It is therefore fitting for the community to support him. And that applies only to exerting themselves to provide him with his bread, as it is appropriate that they sustain him. And Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Who is included in the category of a Torah scholar? Anyone who is asked about the halakha with regard to any topic and is able to state it. And they say: What are the practical consequences of this question? It is to appoint him a leader of the community. If he is an expert in a single tractate, they appoint him as a leader in his place; if he is an expert in all of his learning, they appoint him as the head of the yeshiva.