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Newspaper in Genizah

Thank you. Would you say that the weekly Torah newspaper Hamodia requires genizah? I have many copies and need to dispose of them in a permissible manner. I am not seeking leniency, but please bear in mind that if I am required to dispose of them via the official neighborhood genizah there will be a significant cost involved. Generally the newspaper writes Hashem for the name of G-d.

Answer:

There is no need to put a newspaper (Hamodia, or any other) into genizah.

However, if there is a special Torah section, this section should be put into genizah.

Sources:

In Torah law, the obligation is only to put documents with the name of Hashem into genizah. The Sages added that even divrei Torah require genizah.

Some write that a Torah sheet that was written for one-time use does not require genizah, and the same idea will apply to Torah in newspapers (see Netziv, Meishiv Davar 2:80, and see also Iggros Moshe, Orach Chaim 4:39, concerning a sefer that is no longer used for Torah study; Rav Moshe writes that his chiddush is contingent on the agreement of poskim in Eretz Yisrael, who did not concur with the ruling).

Another reason for leniency is the fact that newspapers are printed and not written; although many poskim are stringent concerning printed material, some argue that modern non-mechanical printing methods provide greater room for leniency (see also Shraga Ha-Meir 5:61:1).

If there is a chance that there are divrei Torah in the newspaper, the newspaper should be thrown away wrapped in a plastic covering, ensuring that they are treated respectfully.

For a lengthier treatment of the subject [Hebrew] please see here.

Best wishes.

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