משה ואהרן בכהניו ושמואל בקראי שמו
Moshe v’Aharon b’kohanav u’Shmuel b’korei Shemo
Moshe and Aharon (were) among His Kohanim (priests) and Shmuel among those who invoke His Name.
Dovid HaMelech is conveying two messages in this pasuk from Sefer Tehilim 99:6. First, Moshe Rabbeinu was a Kohen Gadol (if he was similar to Aharon). Second, Shmuel HaNavi achieved a spiritual stature similar to Moshe and Aharon HaKohen. Radak explains that just as Moshe and Aharon achieved the apex of Kehunah (because they were Kohanim Gedolim), Shmuel achieved the highest level of prophecy. The Neviim were considered those who korei Shemo, invoke Hashem’s Name. Shmuel was also related to Moshe and Aharon. Radak continues presenting the similarities between Moshe and Shmuel, Klal Yisrael’s greatest Neviim: both were Leviim; both sang Shirah to Hashem; both reigned over all of the Jewish people; each one reigned for forty years; both fought wars and killed pagan kings; both built altars upon which they brought offerings; Hashem summoned both of them (Vayikra). Moshe was a Kohen. Indeed, during the seven days of Milluim, the Inauguration of the Mishkan, Moshe served as the Kohen Gadol. According to one Tanna, Moshe was Kohen Gadol alongside Aharon during the entire forty years that he led the nation in the wilderness.
