Hakham (or Chakam(i), Haham(i), Hacham(i), Hach; Hebrew: חכם ḥaḵam, "Wise") is a term in Judaism, meaning a wise or skillful man; it often refers to someone who is a great Torah scholar. It can also refer to any cultured and learned person: "He who says a wise thing is called a Hakham, even if he be not a Jew."[1] Hence, in Talmudic-Midrashic literature, wise gentiles are commonly called hakhmei ummot ha-'olam ("wise men of the nations of the world").
In Sephardic usage, hakham is a synonym for "rabbi".
- ^ Talmud, Megillah 16a