Blu Greenberg (one of the founders of MO feminism)

So, some of you may know that I have a bit of an obsession with Niddah. My convo last night has brought it out.

I have uploaded an image of Blu Greenberg, in which she explains the pluses of observing Nidah. I wanted to do the same for her observations on how to "improve" the mitzvah, but I just can't seem to be able to.

So here goes a summary:

1. Reappropriate Nidah as a special women's mitzvah, using the language of feminism.
2. Get rid of negative language and superstitions surrounding the mitzvah, and talk about the holiness of sex.
3. Get rid of the rabbinically mandated extra 7 days.
4. Offer marriage counseling that takes the Nidah-related stresses into account and tries to deal with them.
5. Get rid of the whole "treating a virgin who bleeds like a Nidah, so that she must wait 11 days before having sex again" thing.
6. Tack women's health issues, like monthly breast exams, onto Niddah. (My note: Actually, about a week after your period is probably a good time for breast-checkups, since breasts can be sore/swollen around one's period, however, there is now a debate about monthly checkups v "breast awareness", which is more about having a general awareness of your breasts and any changes going on there/ocassionaly (say, once every two months) checkups, as opposed to monthyly self-exams. One should consult one's doctor, and those with a family history of breast cancer should take more care.)
7. Accept that people have pre-marital sex. Encourage women to immerse and emphasize the value of having sex only in meaningful relationships. Keeping Nidah will lead to less promiscuity, since only in real relationships will people be willing to refrain from sex for two weeks.
8. Accept that the degree of touching couples engage in while in Nidah is a personal choice, and everyone draws the line somewhere else. Put some trust in women and men that they won't jump into bed the minute they touch each other, especially if its casual/non-sexual contact.