Custom binding handler that passes the element to the viewmodel. Typically, this should not be used but sometimes its easier to just get the element. In my case, some event happens and I want to focus on my input element.

Element Custom Binding - Knockoutjs.js

ko.bindingHandlers.element = {
    init: function (element, valueAccessor) {
        var vmElement = valueAccessor();
        if (ko.isObservable(vmElement) === false)
            throw Error("The binding handler needs an observable.");

        vmElement(element);
    },
};