my next project?
Niddah for me is a very triggering subject, to the point that I don't practice it at all. Not so much the dipping in the Miqweh aspect, nor the sexual separation, but some of the associated practices: - abstinence from all forms of physical affection, not just explicitly sexual ones, coupled with the very strong expectation that one must have sex on miqweh night. Aside from the coercive element, this all or none approach is out of touch with many if not most women's sexual rhythms, for whom sexual desire is a culmination of ongoing touch and affection. - the 7 clean days, which adds at least 4 days to the waiting period, and creates more pressure for women to go to the miqweh as well as engage in intercourse exactly at the specified period. -the internal vaginal exams that women are supposed to perform during those seven days -showing stains to Rabbis. the introduction of female "yoatzot" only partly ameliorates this because who wants to really show stains to