60. Berachot 19B-20A | Protecting Human Dignity | Observing Halacha vs Human Dignity

60. Berachot 19B-20A | Protecting Human Dignity | Observing Mitzvot vs Human Dignity

Rav says that Halacha takes precedence over human dignity, because a person wearing Shatnez must remain their clothing as soon as they are aware that it is Shatnez, regardless of where they are.

Gemara challenges this notion, providing five examples of where respecting a person's dignity may override Halacha (In the class we learn the arguments disproving all these examples):
1. A Baraita teaches that a Kohen following a mourner may follow him onto a road that may be Tamei.
2. R' Elazar Bar Tzadok says that Kohanim would jump over coffins to greet a Jewish or non-Jewish king.
3. A Baraita teaches that human dignity is so great that it overrides a negative commandment of the Torah.
4. A Baraita teaches that if a man finds a lost item that is of low enough value, they don't have to spend time trying to find the owner and return the item (please note this isn't granting permission to take said item).
5. A Baraita teaches that if a man who is on his way to offer a Korban Pesach or to circumcise his son, he may stop doing so in order to ensure than a Met Mitzvah (an unidentified body) is buried.