Eliezer: B'seder or Not?
The Gemara has (at least) two things to say about the way Eliezer, servant of Avraham asked G-d for a sign that he found a suitable shiduch for Yitzchak. In Masechet Taanit (4a), R' Shmuel bar Nachmani in the name of R' Yochanan says that three people did not ask properly, two were answered well notwithstanding and the third was not answered well... Eliezer said... if I will ask a girl for water and she will give me and my camels... that will be the one for Yitzchak. Says the Gemara, it could have been an unsuitable girl, but G-d sent him Rivka.

And in Chulin (95b): Any NACHASH (asking for a sign) that is not like what Eliezer (or Yonatan son of Shaul), is not NACHASH. Rambam interprets this the Gemara stating that Eliezer's sign is the epitome of the prohibition against relying on omens. Others understand the Gemara exactly the opposite, that Eliezer's sign was okay, acceptable, and could be relied upon. Rashi seems to disagree with Rambam; he says that Eliezer's test was to find a kind girl who would be worthy of becoming part of Avraham's family.

The questions remain: was Eliezer's request of G-d proper or not? And is it forbidden because of NICHUSH? These are not identical questions, but they can combine to the simpler question - Was Eliezer B'seder or not?

It seems that "blind" reliance on a test of the sort that Eliezer made, is problematic. However, as a filtering process, it seems to be on track. And Eliezer did check into family background, so to speak, albeit after he committed himself to Rivka.

Rabbi Steven Burg, National Director of NCSY, added an important factor to further justify Eliezer's test. In a Dvar Torah on www.OURadio.org (the OU's internet radio station - check it out), Rabbi Burg pointed to the words VAT'MAHEIR (and she hurried) and VATARATZ (and she ran) as indicators of a passion and enthusiasm to help others. This is an Avraham-trait (RATZ, VAY'MAHEIR), justifying Eliezer's act.