Assisting in Death

Rabbi Steinsaltz states that murder of a “Treifah” (someone who is expected to die within 12 months) is technically viewed as manslaughter and not true murder, for the treifah isn't considered fully alive when killed. The Rabbi then defines the category of "Goses", which refers to the period of time in which the condition of the dying patient is rapidly deteriorating and he is on the brink of death. Even such a person is treated as alive with respect to such legal considerations as inheritance.