8. Therefore, the place of forgetfulness rose against him. It is written, "Nevertheless the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him." HE ASKS, If it is said "the chief butler did not remember," why then add "but forgot him?" HE ANSWERS, "but forgot him" indicates the place in which there is forgetfulness, which is CALLED the end on the side of darkness. HE ASKS, What are the two years? AND HE ANSWERS, The grade of forgetfulness returned after that time to the grade in which there is remembrance.
8. וְע"ד אֲתַר דַּהֲוָה בֵיהּ נַשְׁיוּ קָם קַמֵּיהּ, מַה כְּתִיב וְלֹא זָכַר שַׂר הַמַּשְׁקִים אֶת יוֹסֵף וַיִּשְׁכָּחֵהוּ. כֵּיוָן דַּאֲמַר וְלֹא זָכַר שַׂר הַמַּשְׁקִים, מַהוּ וַיִּשְׁכָּחֵהוּ. אֶלָּא וַיִּשְׁכָּחֵהוּ אֲתַר דְּאִית בֵּיהּ שִׁכְחָה, וְדָא הוּא קֵץ דְּסִטְרָא דְּחֹשֶׁךְ. שְׁנָתַיִם יָמִים, מַאי שְׁנָתַיִם. דְּתָב דַּרְגָּא, לְדַרְגָּא דְּאִית בֵּיהּ זְכִירָה.