Faith
Getting Acquainted on a Dating Site
Question
Hello, honorable Rabbi.
I am a young woman of marriageable age, Baruch Hashem. I recently registered on a Haredi dating site. I do not upload a photo, and the information I provided about myself is minimal (I phrased my details so as to attract only G-d-fearing and quality men). Before I respond to inquiries, I check the information they have given about themselves (such as how many prayers they say daily, kashrut observance, and fixed Torah study times). After this introduction, is it halachically legitimate to proceed this way, or is the only acceptable way to meet through a matchmaker? If this method is permitted, if I correspond with a man and during the correspondence realize he is not suitable for me and then cease communications, was this considered a frivolous conversation with a man, or is it legitimate as a way to get to know someone? Thank you very much!
Answer
Greetings and blessings. It is permissible to get acquainted in this manner, although deception is quite common on such sites. A conversation for the purpose of evaluation, etc., certainly does not constitute a frivolous conversation. Wishing you success, Binyamin Shmueli.
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