A disheartened spiritual leader initially serving this scholar (7)

I believe the answer is:

arabist

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'this scholar' is the definition.
(Arabist is an example)

'a disheartened spiritual leader initially serving' is the wordplay.
'disheartened' suggests removing the centre (the middle or heart is removed).
'spiritual leader' becomes 'rabbi' (Jewish teacher).
'initially' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (some letters go before others).
'serving' becomes 'st' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'rabbi' with its centre removed is 'rabi'.
'a'+'rabi'+'st'='ARABIST'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for arabist that I've seen before include "Say, T E" , "Middle East adviser" , "Expert in Middle Eastern culture" , "One studying a Middle East culture" , "Specialist in Middle Eastern affairs" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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