Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil

Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil Glossary

susceptibility

likeliness of being subject to something, particularly something harmful

emphatically

expressed in a forceful manner

oratory

a small chapel for worship

elated

extremely happy

banality

quality of lacking originality; clichèd nature

seclusion

isolation

abstention

refusing to do something (e.g. voting)

passis

in passing

judenrein

A german word meaning "pure [free] of jews"

defect

To leave an organisation, a political party, or nation and join another.

Führer

The German word for "leader," used to designate Adolf Hitler. The office of the Führer combined that of the Chancellor and the President.

categorial imperative

A concept originating in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant which defines the proper basis for moral action as acting in such a way that your action could be the basis of a universal law.

Einsatzgruppen

"Task forces," German military detachments charged with machine-gunning Jews.

S.S.

Schutzstaffel, or Protection Squadron. A paramilitary organisation that provided security for party meetings, and was later tasked with carrying out the Holocaust.

S.A.

Sturmabteilung, or "Storm Bataillon." The street militias of the Nazi Party before they rose to power. They were liquidated by the Nazis after Hitler's rise to power.

justizlose Hoheitsakte

A German term meaning "act of state," an exercise of sovereign power not subject to the law (like the execution of a criminal.)

Sonderkommando

A German word meaning "special unit," describing Jews who were forced to kill other Jews at the death camps.

"Umsiedlung"

A German word meaning "resettlement," the official Nazi term for deportation.

"Sonderbehandlung"

A German word meaning "special treatment," the official Nazi term for gassing Jews to death.

Bearer of Secrets

The official Nazi term for those who were aware of the planning of the Holocaust.

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