From holy Easter until Pentecost let the brothers take dinner at the sixth hour and supper in the evening.From Pentecost throughout the summer, unless the monks have work in the fields let them fast on Wednesdays and Fridays until the ninth hour; on the other days let them dine at the sixth hour. This dinner at the sixth hour shall be the daily schedule if they have work in the fields or the heat of summer is extreme; the Abbot's foresight shall decide on this. Thus it is that he should adapt and arrange everything in such a way that souls may be saved and that the brethren may do their work without just cause for murmuring. From the Ides of September until the beginning of Lent let them always take their dinner at the ninth hour.In Lent until Easter let them dine in the evening. But this evening hour shall be so determined that they will not need the light of a lamp while eating, Indeed at all seasons let the hour, whether for supper or for dinner, be so arranged that everything will be done by daylight.

Is Benedict a micro-manager? Pretty close.

He is certainly concerned about every particular of how principles are implemented.

But then there are the exceptions and the adjustments and his urging to be flexible.

The leader is told, "he should adapt and arrange everything in such a way that souls may be saved and that the brethren may do their work without just cause for murmuring."

The orignal Latin was disponat - dispose, arrange, describe, put in order - qualiter - in whatever way, whatever manner - to save souls.

The focus again is on the goal and the principle. The practice can be - should be - amended to achieve the goal.