When the Noda B’Yehudah, R’ Yechezkel Landau zt"l, was the Rav in Prague, a decree was issued to draft Jewish boys into the army. The Noda B’Yehudah attempted to console those boys that were forced to serve, and even accompanied them when they reported for duty. Before parting, he instructed them to continue praying daily, and to volunteer for extra duty on Sundays so that their fellow soldiers might relieve them of their duties on Shabbos.

     When he returned to Prague, he related to his congregants the following insight: 

     Towards the end of the tochacha, it says: “But despite all this, while they will be in the land of their enemies, I will not be abhorred by them, nor will I have rejected them to destroy them.” Why does it say, “despite all this”? This posuk introduces words of comfort; why must we mention that it comes despite all the pain?

     The Noda B’Yehudah explained that the decree drafting Jews into the army, may be seen as being somewhat beneficial for the Jewish nation, in that they are now equal to all citizens of the empire. Jewish soldiers will also be able to rise through the ranks and gain honor. However, this rise in prominence brings with it great pitfalls. 

     When the posuk says, “despite all this,” it reminds us that one more curse will yet befall the Jewish people in their exile. When we will be, “in the land of their enemies,” there will come a time when we will not be hated by the nations. We will even be granted equal rights. However, we must beware that we are only treated this way by the gentiles in order to change us, to bring us to the point where our Jewish faith is endangered. The nations want us to act like them, so that we will be unrecognizable as Jews, severing our relationship with Hashem. 

     Thus, “despite all this” Hashem will not forsake us, even as the nations will try to “annul My covenant.”