MM,
Thanks for the reply. I have a few questions about this.
WRT the story about the Chasam Sofer, it’s very interesting, but I don’t think we pasken halacha on the basis of stories.
Rav Shternbuch says (2:622) that breaking an engagement is a very serious matter and it causes embarrassment to the other side.
I agree that breaking an engagement is serious and should only be done when there is no more potential for a successful marriage. But that doesn’t mean that one is *forbidden* from doing so… but rather that one should carefully consider all sides before doing so.
Buying a house is also a very serious matter… but I don’t see anyone saying that you have to ask a shailah before doing so.
However, says Rav Shternbuch, this is not so simple. The lingering effects can have devastating consequences in the future
I would think that a divorce has even worse lingering effects.
The Wolf