Q. Does Hashem’s name or pesukim printed by non-believing Jews or non-Jews require genizah or can they just be thrown away in the garbage disposal?
A. See prior question in regards to newspapers and magazines.
The Rambam, Yesodei Ha-Torah (6:8) and Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 281:1) rule that a Sefer Torah written by an apikoros must be burnt since we are sure that it was written with idolatrous intentions. However the Sefer Torah written by a non-Jew should be placed in the g’niza. Noda Beyehuda (Y.D. 2: 182) maintains that when the Gentile writes or prints on behalf of a Jew or when he is not aware or does not understand what he is writing or printing, we do not suspect that his intentions are for idol worship. His acts are considered merely mechanical acts and therefore the printed material can be used. (See Piskey Teshuva Y.D. 281: 1)
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that a secular printed work containing Hashem’s name, could have likely been printed by non-Jews therefore it should be treated when possible with respect and placed in the g’niza.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a
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