superior orders, n.Definitions

Superior orders (n.) can ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠severely disturb the normal working of a man's conscience, even manifestly unlawful ones — as every legal system, Israel's included, tacitly admits.

Superior orders (n.) in ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠a criminal regime turn the manifestly unlawful around: the black flag of 'Prohibited!' flies as manifestly over a normally lawful order — not to kill innocents — as it flies over a criminal order in normal times.

Superior orders (n.) theory ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠assumes a criminal order is a striking exception to the rule; under Eichmann the relation was reversed, so by its logic his hesitation to obey Himmler's merciful orders was the defensible part.

Superior orders (n.) in ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠Nazi language made the mere recipient of orders a bearer of orders: the word lends the executioner the burden and the importance of the bearer of ill tidings.