A new theory proposes that the Qumran sect’s use of a 364-day calendar – differing from the standard Jewish calendar – wasn't an error, but a deliberate ideological stance. Researchers suggest this calendar choice stemmed from a long-standing political feud predating the sect’s existence. The 364-day calendar, based on a solar rather than lunar system, may have been a way for the group to signal its opposition to the ruling religious authorities in Jerusalem. This divergence served as a continuing protest until the group felt secure enough to adopt the commonly used calendar. The theory offers a potential solution to a long-debated mystery surrounding the Dead Sea Scrolls. This highlights how religious practices can be entangled with political history and identity.