Siman 283

A gentile inherits from his father according to the Torah, as it is written: "for I have given Ar to the children of Lot as an inheritance." However, a convert in ancient times does not inherit from his gentile father according to the Torah, for he is considered like a newborn child; rather, the sages enacted that he should inherit so that he does not return to his former ways. A condition is effective regarding this inheritance, such that the gentile can uproot the estate from them even with the language of "inheritance," unlike the case of an Israelite where one specifically requires the language of "gift," as I wrote in siman 281. For since this is from an enactment of the sages, the gentile is not obligated to abide by this enactment. A gentile does not inherit from his father who converted, nor does a convert inherit from a convert, neither according to the words of the Torah nor according to the words of the sages. Even if he had a son whose birth was in sanctity, since his conception was not in sanctity, he does not inherit from his father and his father does not inherit from him [and an Israelite who was indebted to a gentile and died was explained in the Mordechai, the first chapter of Kiddushin].

An Israelite who converted to idolatry inherits from his Israelite relatives, as it is stated: "For I have given Mount Seir to Esau as an inheritance," and Esau was a convert. If the beit din saw fit to penalize him so as not to strengthen their hands, the authority is in their hands; and if he has Israelite children, it should be given to them. Even if the convert gave the property he inherited to others, it is nothing, for once the elder died, his property fell before the children of the convert, the grandchildren of the elder, and he has no power over them. And some say that they leave the inheritance in beit din, perhaps he will return in repentance. An Israelite inherits from his relative who converted, even if he deposited the money in the hands of other Israelites, and even if he had children during his conversion. If the bailees misappropriated the money during his lifetime, or if he requested it from them and they did not give it to him, some say they acquired it, and some disagree. A convert whose mother died and he has relatives from the father, if he is fit to be penalized, his heirs also do not inherit from her, and the inheritance remains for the mother's other heirs. If he is a minor who is not fit to be penalized, his heirs inherit from his mother. A husband inherits in place of his wife who converted, even though her benefactor died after her conversion and she died afterwards, since his hand is as her hand and a penalty is not applicable.

Leah was taken captive and her mother collected money for her ransom, and afterward she heard that she had converted. If it is possible to return to each person what she took, she should return it to them. And if it is impossible to return it to them, the principal shall remain for the ransom of captives, and if it is possible to ransom her over the course of time, she shall be ransomed with them. And see in Yoreh Deah siman 253.