Q&A: Is an Uneven Doubt Considered a Doubt?
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Is an Uneven Doubt Considered a Doubt?
Question
I saw that the Rabbi wrote that an uneven doubt is not considered a doubt at all. And there are those who hold that it is even considered complete certainty.
I would appreciate it if the Rabbi could direct me to the above sources, or to the Rabbi’s further elaboration on the topic.
Thank you very much!
Answer
An uneven doubt is a majority. What sources are needed for that?
The question whether a majority is considered a doubt or a certainty is a discussion among the later authorities (Acharonim). It comes up mainly regarding doubt in ritual impurity (what is the law if there is a majority there). See, for example, Kehillot Yaakov, Ketubot, sec. 8, and many others.