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Why does the Gemara (גמרא) require two rovs (majorities) to establish validity when a single rov fails? The shiur develops Rashi (רש"י)'s approach that when there's no bari (certainty), chazakah (presumption) can work — but only when there's truly no safek at all. Two rovs eliminate the remaining possibility of safek in a way one rov cannot.
The shiur examines a fundamental question in the Gemara (גמרא) on Kesubos 15a regarding the mechanics of rov (majority) in establishing genealogical validity. The basic issue is why the Gemara says that while one rov doesn't work, two rovs together can be effective — what changes when you have two rovs instead of one? Rashi (רש"י)'s approach is analyzed in detail. According to Rashi, the key principle is that you don't need a bari (certainty) in every case — chazakah (presumptive status) can work when there's no real safek (doubt). The problem with a single rov is that it leaves room for genuine doubt. For instance, if there's a rov of kosher people, but we know that sometimes the woman might go to the pasul (invalid) individuals, then we have a real safek situation where chazakah cannot operate effectively.
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Kesubos 15a
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