Prohibition of Touching Before Marriage
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Question
Why and where is it written that one must observe the prohibition of touching before marriage?
Answer
Hello,
A couple who have not married according to the law through chuppah and kiddushin are considered as strangers to each other. There is no halachic significance to the fact that they have decided to marry.
Therefore, just as it is forbidden for a man to touch a strange woman, and for a woman to touch a strange man, it is also forbidden for a man and woman to touch, even if they intend to marry.
The obligation to maintain distance between any man and woman who are not married is from the Torah, as the Tur wrote: ... or if he hugged or kissed and enjoyed the closeness of flesh, he violates a Torah prohibition, as it is said: "Do not come near to uncover nakedness," which leads to the uncovering of nakedness.
Source
Tur, Even HaEzer, Siman 20