Rashi on TanakhGenesis 40

After these events. Because that cursed woman made it a habit that this righteous man be a topic of conversation to all, to speak about him and to demean him, God brought about the offenses of these [people] so that their attention be diverted to these [people] and not to him [Yoseif]. Also, to bring about a respite to the righteous man through their doings.

An offense was committed. Concerning one, a fly was found in his cup of aromatic beverage while a pebble was found in the bread of the other.

And baker. Of the bread of the king. The term אַפִיָה —baking—applies only to bread. In Old French it is pestor [baker].

The chief of the slaughterers appointed Yoseif. To be with them.

They were under guard for a period of time. [יָמִים refers to] twelve months.

The two of them had a dream. Meaning: the same as וַיַחַלְמוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם חֲלוֹם. That is the plain meaning. The Midrashic explanation, however, is: Each of them dreamed the dream of both whereby he dreamed his own dream and the interpretation of the other’s [dream]. That is [what is meant by] what is said: “The chief baker saw that he interpreted well.”

Each man according to the interpretation of his dream. Each of them had a dream that was consistent with the interpretation that was destined to befall them.

Troubled. [Meaning] sad, as in: “Dejected and sullen,” [or:] “The displeasure of God I will bear.”

Branches. Long branches that are called wediz in O.F.

As if budding. [Meaning:] It seemed as if it budded, [i.e.,] in my dream it seemed as if it budded. [Meaning:] as if it flowered, and after it budded, the blossoms bloomed and it began to flower, expanin in O.F., after which it produced ripe [grapes]. [As Onkelos translates:] וְהִיא כַד אַפְרַחַת אַפֵּיקַת לַבְלְבִין — “And when it budded, it brought out blossoms” till here is the Targum of the word פּוֹרַחַת. [The budding stage of] נֵץ is larger than that of פֶּרַח. as is written: “The נִצָה will become a ripe grape” and it is written: “It brought forth a blossom” and afterwards: “It brought forth צִיץ [later blossoms].

I squeezed. As Onkelos translates it, “And I pressed.” This word occurs frequently in the Mishnah.

Are three days. They are a symbol to you of three days. There are many Midrashic explanations [of these words].

Pharaoh will lift your head. יִשָׂא is a term meaning counting— when he will take a count of his other servants to wait on him during the meal, he will count you among them.

Your position. [Meaning:] your base and your position.

But remember me. [כִּי means:] that if you will remember me after things become well for you as I have interpreted.

Please deal kindly with me. The word נָא is an expression of pleading.

Fancy baskets. Baskets made of peeled willows having many holes. They are prevalent in our country. It is customary for those who sell fancy cakes, that are called obledes [in O.F.], to place them in such baskets.

Pharaoh’s birthday. [יוֹם הֻלֶּדֶת means] his birthday. It is called Ginusia Day [in Greek]. The הֻלֶּדֶת form [which is הִפְעִיל —passive causative, is used] because the infant is not born unless it is with the aid of others because a midwife helped the woman give birth. It is for this reason that a midwife is called a מְיַלֶּדֶת —one who brings to birth. Similarly, “Your birth—on the day of your birth” or, “After the leprosy is cleansed [הוּכַּבֵּס] away” because it is cleansed by others.

He lifted the head, etc. [Meaning:] he counted them with his other servants, because he was counting those servants that would wait on him at his feast, he remembered these among them, as in שְׂאוּ אֶת רֹאשׁ, meaning counting.

The chief butler did not remember. On that day.

But forgot him. Afterwards. Because Yoseif depended on him to remember him it necessitated his remaining imprisoned for two years, as is stated: “Fortunate is the man who has made God his trust, and has not turned to the arrogant.” [I.e.,] and does not put his trust in the Egyptians who are called arrogant.