Question: Are Jewish magazines considered Shaimos? Should I dispose of them respectfully since they contain Torah articles?
Answer: The Gemara in Makkos (22a) teaches, based on the verse in Parshas Re'eh (12:4), that it is forbidden to erase or destroy Hashem's name. The Mishnah in Avos (4:6) states that one who honors the Torah will be honored by others. Commentators explain that this also applies to seforim, meaning that if one honors Torah writings, they will be rewarded with honor.
The Mishnah in Shabbos (115a) rules that all sacred writings, even if they do not contain Hashem's name, require genizah (burial), regardless of whether they are written in Hebrew or another language. The Mishnah Berurah (334:30) understands this and applies it to all seforim.
Based on this, it would seem that most Jewish magazines, which do contain words of Torah, are considered holy and would require placement in shaimos and then get buried. This applies even if the magazines are written in English.
However, there are distinctions to be made. Since the primary purpose of magazines is often non-holy content, they may follow different halachos.
Practically, there are differing opinions regarding how to discard such magazines, and one should consult with their rabbi for guidance. Below are some of the approaches:
Be'er Moshe (3:183) and Shevet HaLevi (5:162) rule that they need genizah.
Teshuvos Vehanhagos (3:324) suggests cutting out the sacred text for burial while discarding the rest. Others, such as in Ginzei Kodesh (14:4:8), argue that the entire publication could be placed in shaimos, including the non-holy content.
R' Elyashiv, as cited in Ginzei Kodesh (14:3), rules that if a magazine does not always contain Torah content, one is not required to check each edition, and it may be discarded. However, if one knows that a specific edition contains Torah material, it must be buried.
Rav Moshe Heinemann (Kashrus Kurrents, Winter 2017) permits double-wrapping newspapers or magazines in two bags before placing them in the trash. Later, he published on the Star-K website that even single-wrapping and placing them in a recycling bin is acceptable.
In short:
There are different opinions regarding how to treat magazines and newspapers with Torah content, ranging from requiring burial to wrapping them and placing them in the trash. A rabbi should be consulted to determine the proper course of action to show appropriate respect. As the Mishnah states, one who honors Torah content will be honored.
