safek

plural sfekot

1. JudaismA doubt, uncertainty

   The safek inherent in whether the dead brother had a child or not.

   1996 May 6, Art Kamlet, “***Israeli Citizenship***”, in soc.culture.jewish (Usenet)

   1 more example

   What's "ethnically" Hungarian about them? Perhaps, and I have some sfekot, [they are] ethnically Jewish.

   2000 November 19, Abe Cohen, “Naomi's outburst”, in soc.culture.jewish.moderated (Usenet)

2. JudaismA possibility, chance

   1 more example

   Even in cases where there is some doubt if the intent of marriage existed in both parties, the rabbis might demand that they get divorced with a get, since there is a safek that they may be married according to Torah law and therefore it is best to issue a get to remove all doubt and therefore remove any chance that the woman's future children might be mamzerim.

   1996 April 29, Jonathan Kamens, “Question on love affairs and illegitimate children”, in soc.culture.jewish (Usenet)

3. JudaismA doubtful case; something that is up for debate

   However, we rule that it is a safek and accordingly the blessing should not be recited.

   2003, J. H. Henkin, Responsa on Contemporary Jewish Women's Issues, KTAV Publishing House, Inc., →ISBN, page 58