The following comments were placed in Ask JTF. I moved them out because the new rule starting for next week's broadcast is that people may only post their questions for Chaim in the Ask JTF thread.
Being that I don't kiss women before marriage, do you think it would be wrong of me to hug a woman who is not my wife? Is it wrong if I would hug my future wife when we'll be engaged but not yet married? What is worse, hugging or kissing?
(Note Chaim: These are
not my two questions, just a reply to Yacov's question.)
I know I am not Chaim and nor am I Jewish, but in Christendom we do consider chaste hugging acceptable... there are no direct scriptures on this matter, but I would say that any polite friendly contact that avoids pressing the woman's chest is considered modest and pure. Hope that was of some help.
Edit: I myself would not mind brief, polite, closed-mouth kisses with my girlfriend, if I shall ever have one (by "girlfriend", I do mean intended future wife, BTW). I have Frenched once and never, ever, ever want to do that again with anybody who is not my wife.