Vayeishev 40:23 · EXTRA

EXTRA · Parashas Vayeishev · Passuk 40:23 · not a Torah Temimah citation on this passuk

The Complete Passuk

וְלֹֽא־זָכַ֧ר שַֽׂר־הַמַּשְׁקִ֛ים אֶת־יוֹסֵ֖ף וַיִּשְׁכָּחֵֽהוּ׃ {פ}

Yet the chief cupbearer did not think of Joseph; he forgot him.

Classical source (EXTRA side-ring): Bereshis Rabbah 89:3.

Core Text

וְלֹא זָכַר שַׂר הַמַּשְׁקִים אֶת יוֹסֵף וַיִּשְׁכָּחֵהוּ — וַיִּשְׁכָּחֵהוּ לְטוֹבָה, כְּדֵי שֶׁיָּבוֹא לְפַרְעֹה.

English: “And the chief cupbearer did not remember Yosef, and he forgot him” — he forgot him for good, so that he would come before Pharaoh.

In context: Even the forgetting is turned toward the eventual audience with Pharaoh.

Derash on the verse (Bereshis Rabbah) — not a formal named middah of the 13. Apparent setback is reframed as preparation.

The cupbearer’s forgetfulness delays Yosef until the moment when Pharaoh himself will need the dreamer.