... In reply to your questions:
WHAT ARE THE GOOD QUALITIES TO LOOK FOR IN A SHIDDUCH?
The answer is that first and foremost the person should be trustworthy, so that he could fully be relied upon in all his promises relating to the establishment of a truly Jewish home, a Binyan Adei Ad...
The maximum assurance that he is indeed such a person is when he is religious, and his whole life, in every aspect of the daily life, is directed by the Torah and Mitzvos. For in such a case one can be fully certain that he is not motivated merely by the opinions of other people, but considers these matters as a sacred Mitzvah, commanded by G-d. Having ascertained this first and primary quality, it is then possible to consider also what additional qualities a person has.
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET TO KNOW A PERSON WELL BEFORE THE WEDDING?
The answer is that it is quite true that it is impossible to get to know a person before the wedding, as well as after. However, it is possible to get to know him in an adequate way by making sure that he has the primary quality mentioned above. This can be found out indirectly, in addition also to what he himself reveals. In other words, it is possible to find out about his family background, his upbringing and education, and his general conduct in daily life, for a person’s character is a combination of all these factors and influences...
==== Chabad.org/therebbe/letters Practical Dating Advice
