i personally believe that being dead isnt necessarily a bad thing, as far as God concerns, for ones soul, which doesnt die along with the body, but should remain at some other dimension of existence. so, the killing you mentioned shouldnt necessarily be regarded as cruelty of God, but an event in one souls life.
Absolutely... so well put! Most people have no idea what Judaism is all about.
Here's an excellent book on the subject:
Soul Searching (Seeking Scientific Ground For The Jewish Tradition Of An Afterlife) by Yaakov Astor ISBN 1568712499
http://www.feldheim.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=1-56871-249-9&type=store&category=search
or http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1568712499/
(http://www.feldheim.com/mas_assets/120x120/1568712499.jpg)
I have read this book and it is AMAZING. Totally changed the way I view my existence and I'm a serious skeptic. HIGHLY recommended.
Another really good one is:
If God Is Good, Why Is The World So Bad? by Benjamin Blech ISBN 0757301231
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0757301231/