3,821. A Yisroel Who Inherits From a Levi, and Vice Versa

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 13:8

Let’s say that a Yisroel inherited property from his maternal grandfather, who was a Levi. In such a case, he can redeem the property like a Levi even though he’s not one. Since the cities or fields in question belong to the Leviim, they can be redeemed in perpetuity. This matter relies on the nature of the real estate rather than on the owner.

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 13:9

Conversely, if a Levi inherits property from his maternal grandfather who was a Yisroel, he doesn’t redeem it like a Levi, but rather like a Yisroel. This is because the verse telling us that Leviim have perpetual redemption rights (Leviticus 25:32) only applies to the Levite cities.