Can anyone shed any light on the report conatined here: Daily Telegraph Report

What Rabbinic authorities were consulted? The whole thing just doesn't seem "right" given the sanctity of life in Halacha.

Well, the headline in the Daily Hamodia ran, 'Despite Charedi Opposition, Euthanasia Law Passed'

I was wondering what the Halachic status of passive euthanasia is. (I'm not sure if we had a discussion on this before.) Is a person 'obligated' to take every medical avenue to try to prolong his life? What about medical precautions? Are we obligated to listen to the doctor's advice?

I think that obligation is dependent upon whether or not a person (whose life is at stake) is in a state that Torah law calls gosses (dying) or not.

I don't think we are permitted to take action to end the life of even a person in a state of gosses though. We are limited to passively "allowing" such a person to die with dignity by not taking action to prolonging life.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong.

Yisroel,

I don't think it sounds right either.

Quote "I don't think we are permitted to take action to end the life of even a person in a state of gosses though."

This is an explicit Mishna in Shabbos 151b

If we are allowed to withold life-sustaining treatment, then what is wrong with switching of a life support machine? We are not 'killing' the person; we are witholding treatment that keeps them alive. Does this mean that passive euthanasia is permitted?

I would like a more specific answer to this as well. I worked in an ICU/CCU (intensive/cardiac care unit) for 5 years a long time ago.

Although I am comfortable with the morality of any actions I took as an ICU nurse (and I have removed people from ventilators), I wasn't "religious" at that time. So, the specifics of what is taught I don't know.

the shulkan aruch prohibits segulos, such as putting the keys to the cemetery under the patient's head, that were prevelant at the time to prolong dying. we must not shorten life and we must not interfere with dying. every situation is unique. a posek must be consulted. when i worked in ICU it was extremely difficult, my rav got almost as little sleep as i did.