Berakhot 19

I am having difficulty with today’s reading. I was initially hopeful when I read about the importance of giving a Torah scholar the benefit of the doubt that the day’s reading would focus on the importance of not speaking disparaging of others and refraining from being judgmental. But of course, the reading continues to offer examples of when people should be ostracized, such as when one demeans the washing of hands. Placing stones on a deceased coffin as a form of symbolic stoning for demeaning this ritual seems extreme. The discussion about whether prevention of the violation of sacred laws overrides an affront to human dignity is interesting. Can one example of an instance where human dignity prevails serve as a general principle to suggest that human dignity is important above all else? The Talmud does not offer a definitive opinion and the discussion twists here and there. I am learning that the Talmud is very difficult and has layers of meaning and is not the place to go for a “quick dose” of morality or spirituality. I am also wondering if as Jews we carry all these centuries of debate and questioning and broken tablets within us.