The two groups of shepherds clashed only mildly; they had a minor disagreement. Avraham tells Lot that he fears that this misunderstanding could quickly mature into a full-blown "meriva," an all-out fight. He therefore insists that a resolution be found immediately, before the argument progresses any further.
Upon their return from Egypt, Avraham and his nephew, Lot, encounter a family crisis. Their shepherds suddenly quarrel with each other, a situation that prompts Avraham to suggest that he and Lot part ways. A subtle shift in terminology, however, catches the eye of careful readers. The Torah tells of a "riv" - a quarrel - between the two groups of shepherds (13:7). Avraham then tells Lot (in the next verse), "Let there not be a 'meriva' [fight] between me and you; separate, please, from me." Are "riv" and "meriva" synonymous? If so, then why did the Torah change expressions in the same story? And if they denote different forms of argument, how did this altercation between the shepherds suddenly change?
An interesting explanation cited in the name of the "Shelah" understands "meriva" as a stronger form of "riv," a fiercer and more bitter confrontation. The two groups of shepherds clashed only mildly; they had a minor disagreement. Avraham tells Lot that he fears that this misunderstanding could quickly mature into a full-blown "meriva," an all-out fight. He therefore insists that a resolution be found immediately, before the argument progresses any further.
In the world of medicine, "early detection" is of critical importance; the quicker a physician can diagnose a serious condition, Heaven forbid, the greater the chances of full recovery. Avraham Avinu recognized a similar characteristic of interpersonal relationships. Friction that goes untreated leads to the accumulation of feelings of resentment, which can often destroy mutual trust and good-will. One must therefore ensure to "treat" conflicts from the outset, rather than waiting for them to transform from a "riv" to a "meriva."