Opening scene, the U.S. did not bomb Shanghai China in 1945.
The rabbi carries the Torah out in the open, with the removable gold elements waving over his head, and fully exposed to sun, dirt, snagging, etc. It is in no container and has no covering of any sort, making it vulnerable to all sorts of damage.
The Rabbi makes a huge point about not being able to be in a vehicle on the Sabbath as Thomas was driving back to the estate. He forces Magnum to stop and let him walk to the estate. Hours later, on that Sabbath, he was in TC's van as they were driving to an important location.